Aggressive Treatment of Life-Threatening Hypophosphatemia During Recovery From Fulminant Hepatic Failure: A Case Report

Acute liver failure secondary to acetaminophen overdose can be a life-threatening condition, characterized by severe electrolyte derangements. Hepatocyte regeneration is associated with phosphorous utilization and is a known complication of liver recovery following injury. We report the case of profound, life-threatening hypophosphatemia following recovery from acute fulminant liver failure. As the liver enzymes normalized, serum phosphorous levels plummeted. Our patient required an aggressive, individualized phosphorus replacement regimen, which resulted in a continuous infusion of intravenous (IV) sodium phosphate, titrated to a maximum rate of 30 mmol/h or 0.5 mmol/kg/h. The patient required over 400 mmol of total IV and oral phosphorous over the course of 48 hours. An aggressive approach to phosphorous replacement was done safely and effectively. Traditional replacement protocols are not adequate to sustain patients with this degree of hypophosphatemia. This is the first report to utilize a continuous infusion of phosphate with a maximum reported rate (0.5 mmol/kg/h). Our report summarizes a novel and safe approach for clinicians to maximally support these patients through high-dose, continuous infusion phosphorous administration.