Management of diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in diabetes patients with heart failure: insight from the National inpatient sample

BACKGROUND

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) are acute, life-threatening hyperglycemic conditions in diabetes. We aim to assess in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes of DKA and HHS in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with heart failure (HF) and compare both complications.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample database was used to gather data on T2D patients admitted for HF (primary diagnosis) from 2008 to 2019. The secondary diagnoses were DKA or HHS. The outcomes investigated were mortality, ischemic stroke, acute renal failure, and cardiogenic shock.

RESULTS

Diabetes HF patients with DKA were younger than those without HHS-DKA, more likely to be females, and had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease. DKA was associated with higher adjusted risk of mortality (aOR = 2.75[2.42-3.13)], ischemic stroke (aOR = 2.51[1.80-3.49]), acute renal failure (aOR = 1.54[1.45-1.64]), and cardiogenic shock (aOR = 2.53[2.19-2.92]. Diabetes HF patients with HHS were also younger but had more comorbidities than those without HHS-DKA. However, HHS was only associated with an increased adjusted risk of acute renal failure (aOR = 1.59[1.49-1.70]. When both hyperglycemic groups were compared, DKA patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities. However, they had a higher adjusted risk of mortality (aOR = 2.90[2.22-3.79] and cardiogenic shock (aOR = 2.86 [2.13-3.83], but not acute renal failure or stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

DKA and HHS are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure patients with type 2 diabetes. Further, when both conditions were compared, the mortality risk and cardiogenic shock were higher in DKA compared to HHS. Implementing tailored fluid and electrolyte management, optimizing insulin protocols, and enhancing monitoring with early intervention could be lifesaving for these high-risk patients.

Management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adult inpatients: A retrospective analysis of rates of hypoglycaemia with variable-rate and fixed-rate intravenous insulin infusion protocols

AIMS

To compare variable-rate intravenous insulin infusion (VRIII) to fixed-rate intravenous insulin infusion (FRIII) on the incidence of hypoglycaemia during DKA management. Secondary outcomes were time to resolution of ketosis and hospital length of stay.

METHOD

Single-centre retrospective cohort study of adults with DKA managed with VRIII protocol and FRIII protocol.

RESULTS

Eighty participants were included, 45 treated with VRIII and 35 with FRIII. Hypoglycaemia incidence did not differ, n = 7 (16%) in VRIII and n = 8 (23%) in FRIII (p = 0.565). Of those who developed early hypoglycaemia (<12 h) 88% were in the FRIII cohort versus 29% in VRIII (p = 0.041). Time to resolution of ketosis did not differ between groups (VRIII median 11.5 h [IQR 7-24] vs. FRIII median 9 h [IQR 6-14.5], p = 0.163). The VRIII cohort had both longer hospital length of stay (VRII median 3 days [IQR 1-7] vs. FRIII median 2 days [IQR 1-4], p = 0.049) and longer time on insulin infusion (VRIII median 25 h [IQR 18-41] vs. FRIII median 18 h [IQR 14-28], p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

There were similar rates of hypoglycaemia between VRIII and FRIII protocols; however, FRIII was associated with higher rates of early hypoglycaemia. Although time to resolution of ketosis was similar, VRIII was associated with longer hospital length of stay and time on insulin infusion. Further research is needed to determine the optimal insulin infusion regimen.

Emergency Nursing Care in a Patient With a Serum Blood Glucose of 2394 mg/dL: A Case Review

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency arising from insufficient insulin supply in diabetes and is commonly triggered by infection. Management for diabetic ketoacidosis is well documented, which involves the administration of short-acting insulin, fluids, and electrolyte correction, with some studies describing a probable relationship between diabetic ketoacidosis and coronavirus disease 2019, resulting in extreme hyperglycemia.

PATIENT PRESENTATION

This case review details the emergency nursing management of a 34-year-old female who presented in metabolic extremis from probable diabetic ketoacidosis. Serum blood analysis results revealed a blood glucose of 2394 mg/dL, a ketone level of 45.32 mg/dL, a potassium level of 6.1 mmol/L, unmeasurable hypothermia, coronavirus disease 2019 positivity, and progressive torsades de pointes. Management strategies focused on airway management, suitable tonicity and osmolarity correction, and rectification of electrolyte derangements.

CONCLUSION

The patient was transferred to a tertiary care hospital and discharged home with no physiological deficits. This case review aimed to inform the management of extreme hyperglycemia in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Ongoing Challenges in Care

Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most common acute complication in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, and contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. This review aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of severe diabetic ketoacidosis in pediatric age, including its epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, complications and emphasizing advances in prevention strategies. Incidence rates vary due to influences from geographic, socioeconomic, cultural and demographic factors. Pathogenesis is linked to insulin deficiency and an excess of counter-regulatory hormones, which disrupt glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism, causing hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. According to the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes guidelines, severe diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by a pH < 7.1 or bicarbonate < 5 mmol/L. This condition can lead to a wide range of life-threatening complications, including cerebral edema that represents the leading cause of death. Several prevention strategies, including awareness campaigns, early diagnosis of diabetes, regular monitoring and management, effective insulin therapy, education, access to healthcare and technological assistance, may contribute to reduce the risk of severe diabetic ketoacidosis episodes in children and adolescents.

Comparison of balanced crystalloids versus normal saline in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose

The optimal resuscitative fluid for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains controversial. Therefore, our objective was to assess the effect of balanced crystalloids in contrast to normal saline on clinical outcomes among patients with DKA.

Methods

We searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials comparing balanced crystalloids versus normal saline in patients with DKA, the search period was from inception through October 20th, 2023. The outcomes were the time to resolution of DKA, major adverse kidney events, post-resuscitation chloride, and incidence of hypokalemia.

Results

Our meta-analysis encompassed 11 trials, incorporating a total of 753 patients with DKA. There was no significant difference between balanced crystalloids and normal saline group for the time to resolution of DKA (MD -1.49, 95%CI -4.29 to 1.31, P=0.30, I2 = 65%), major adverse kidney events (RR 0.88, 95%CI 0.58 to 1.34, P=0.56, I2 = 0%), and incidence of hypokalemia (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.43 to 1.46, P=0.46, I2 = 56%). However, there was a significant reduction in the post-resuscitation chloride (MD -3.16, 95%CI -5.82 to -0.49, P=0.02, I2 = 73%) among patients received balanced crystalloids.

Conclusion

Among patients with DKA, the use of balanced crystalloids as compared to normal saline has no effect on the time to resolution of DKA, major adverse kidney events, and incidence of hypokalemia. However, the use of balanced crystalloids could reduce the post-resuscitation chloride.

Systematic review registration

https://osf.io, identifier c8f3d.

Can Artificial Intelligence Be Utilized to Predict Real-Time Adverse Outcomes in Individuals Arriving at the Emergency Department With Hyperglycemic Crises?: Implications for APRN Practice

This column on translating research into practice is crafted to offer advanced practice registered nurses an analysis of current research topics that hold practical relevance for emergency care settings. The article titled "Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Adverse Outcomes in Emergency Department Patients With Hyperglycemic Crises in Real Time," authored by C. Hsu et al. (2023), investigates through a randomized control trial, the effectiveness of artificial intelligence as a practical tool compared with the traditional predicting hyperglycemic crisis death score to clinically predict adverse outcomes in individuals presenting to the emergency department with hyperglycemic crises. The results are discussed in the context of averting adverse outcomes associated with sepsis/septic shock, intensive care unit admission, and all-cause mortality within a 1-month time frame.

Fluid therapy in diabetic ketoacidosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate recent evidence (2021-2023) on fluid therapy in diabetic ketoacidosis. Key evidence gaps which require generation of new evidence are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Balanced crystalloid solutions, compared to the commonly recommended and used 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline), may result in better outcomes for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, including faster resolution of acidosis, less hyperchloremia and shorter hospital length of stay. Upcoming results from randomized trials may provide definitive evidence on the use of balanced crystalloid solutions in diabetic ketoacidosis. Evidence remains scarce or conflicting for the use of "two-bag" compared to conventional "one-bag" fluid, and rates of fluid administration, especially for adult patients. In children, concerns about cerebral oedema from faster fluid administration rates have not been demonstrated in cohort studies nor randomized trials.

SUMMARY

Fluid therapy is a key aspect of diabetic ketoacidosis management, with important evidence gaps persisting for several aspects of management despite recent evidence.