Prevalence & pathogenesis of hypophosphatemia in ventilated patients.

Hypophosphatemia was found in 12 (43%) patients within 24-36 h of mechanical ventilation in a group of 28 patients in an intensive care unit. The hypophosphatemic patients had a significant lowering of renal phosphorus threshold (P=0.005) and inappropriate phosphaturia. These abnormalities resolved once ventilation was discontinued. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was responsible for hypophosphatemia