Hyperglycemic crises resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Vidit Bhargava, M.B.B.S [2]

Definition

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life threatening complication of untreated or inadequately treated diabetes mellitus. Due to lack of insulin, body burns fats as fuel and leads to metabolic abnormalities.

Life Threatening Causes

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes. Life-threatening conditions may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

Most Common Causes

• Deficiency of Insulin or inadequate treatment

• MI

• Intercurrent illnesses - infections (UTI, Pneumonia) etc

• Pregnancy

• Stress ( surgery, infections etc.)

• Dehydration

• Medications (corticosteroid, pentamidine, clozapine)

• Failure of pump therapy -

Management

Diabetic ketoacidosis

H/o - vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, altered mentation, fever, & malaise Precipitating factors - Insulin deficiency, Intercurrent illness, stress, MI, Pregnancy, new onset DM type 1

Check labs - CBC, Chem 7, ABG, EKG, CXR, urine dipstick & routine

Diagnostic criteria Blood glucose > 250 mg/dL pH < 7.3 Serum bicarbonate < 18 mEq/L Serum ketones (+) Anion gap > 10

IV fluid therapy

Insulin

Need for K+ replacement?

Need for bicarbonate replacement?

Check hydration status

IV

SC for uncomplicated DKA

<3.3 mEq/dL

3.3-5.3 mEq/dL

>5.3 mEq/dL

pH < 6.9

pH > 7.0

Mild dehydration

Severe dehydration

Cardiogenic shock

Regular insulin @ 0.1 U/kg bolus

Rapid action insulin 0.3 U/kg then 0.2 U/kg after 1 hr

Hold insulin, supplement K+ @ 20-30 mEq/hr till K+ > 3.3 mEq/L

Administer 20-30 mEq K+ per L of fluid

Don't supplement, check 2 hourly

Dilute NaHCo3 (100 mmol) in 400 ml H2O with 20 mEq KCl infused over 2 hrs

No bicarbonate needed

Evaluate for corrected Na+ levels

Start 0.9% NaCl @ 1L/hr initially.

Pressors/ Monitor hemodynamics

Continous infusion @ 0.1 U/kg/hr

s.c. insulin 0.2 U/kg every 2 hrs

Recheck

High Na+ levels

Normal Na+ levels

Low Na+ levels

Double insulin infusion if blood sugar doesnt fall by 50-70 mg/dL in first hr

Switch to 0.45% NaCl (250-500mL/hr)

Continue to 0.9% NaCl (250-500mL/hr)

At serum glucose = 200 mg/dL reduce i.v. insulin to 0.02-0.05 U/kg/hr or s.c. insulin @ 0.1 U/kg every 2 hrs. Target blood sugar - 150-200 mg/dL till DKA resolves

Check blood glucose levels

At serum glucose levels ~ 200 mg/dL switch to 5% dextrose with 0.45% NaCl @ 150-250 ml/hr

Check labs every 2-4 hrs, once pt. tolerates oral feeds transition to s.c. insulin @ 0.8 U/kg/day. Stop i.v. insulin gradually. Look out for complications - Hypogylcemia, Hypokalemia, Cerebral edema, Respiratory distress, Sepsis, Acute gastric dilation

The managment protocol is based on the recommendations given by American Diabetes Association (ASA) and other sources.

Do's

• Check labs initially and every 2-4 hours.
• Check urine for ketones immediately with dipstick and send urine to lab for analysis.
• Initiate i.v. insulin as soon as the patient arrives and satisfies criteria for DKA.
• Assess to understand what precipitated DKA and treat the cause.
• Admit the patient. If pH < 7.0, pt unconscious admit to ICU else may be shifted directly to floor.
• Assess hydration status of the patient, treat aggressively.
• switch to Dextrose with normal saline once blood sugar falls to 200 mg/dL.
• Check for complications from the condition itself as well as those developing due to therapy.

Don'ts

• DO not stop i.v. insulin until DKA has resolved.
• Do not stop i.v. insulin, as soon as s.c. insulin is administered, as it needs time to kick in.
• DO not give insulin if K+ levels are below 3.5 mEq/l, may further cause hypokalemia.
• Do not use 0.9% NaCl if corrected Na+ levels > 145 mEq/l, use 0.45% instead.

• Do not supplement phosphate overzealously, clinical trials have not shown any benefits. Give only if there is am actual deficiency.

References

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