Observations on the treatment of severe diabetic ketosis

Deaths associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma. 1973-1988

We assessed the possibility of improvements in the management of the potentially fatal acute hyperglycaemic complications of diabetes by a review of all deaths in patients who presented to the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, with diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma during the 16 years, 1973-1988. All late deaths of patients during hospitalization were included in the mortality data. In the 610 episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (pH, 7.30 or lower) or hyperosmolar coma (osmolality, 350 mOsmol/kg or greater), only one death occurred as a result of the acute metabolic disturbance--in a patient who had suffered a cardiac arrest before admission to hospital. The over-all mortality rate was 6.2% (38 deaths). The mortality rate was 4.9% (26 deaths) for 528 episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis and 14.6% (12 deaths) for 82 episodes of hyperosmolar coma. Patients with diabetic ketoacidosis who died were older than were those who survived (64 +/- 13 years compared with 40 +/- 21 years, respectively; P less than 0.001). Mortality in patients with hyperosmolar coma did not relate to age, initial blood-glucose level or osmolality. Twelve deaths resulted from bacterial pneumonia and two deaths resulted from aspiration pneumonia. Other major causes of death were mesenteric and iliac thromboses (six cases), myocardial infarction (eight cases) and cerebral haemorrhage (two cases). Of the 26 deaths that were associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, only two deaths--as a result of aspiration pneumonia and bowel infarction, respectively--were assessed as potentially avoidable after the patient's admission to hospital. Eight of the 12 hyperosmolar-coma-associated deaths occurred in newly recognized diabetic patients in whom there were avoidable delays in diagnosis. We conclude that further improvements in outcome will be difficult to achieve, but that efforts should be directed towards the earlier diagnosis of diabetes and the earlier recognition and treatment of associated acute pulmonary and vascular complications.

Successful resuscitation in diabetic ketoacidosis: a strong case for the use of bicarbonate

Although severe acidosis is a life-threatening condition owing to its cerebral and cardiac effects, correction of the acidosis with alkali remains a controversial issue in diabetic ketoacidosis. A 22-year-old female patient in diabetic ketoacidosis who was successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest is presented and a strong case is made for the administration of bicarbonate in severe cases of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Continuous intravenous infusion of small doses of insulin in treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis

Continuous intravenous infusion of small amounts of insulin has been used in the management of a series of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. In 13 patients with a plasma glucose level on admission of 725 mg/100 ml (+/- 80 S.E. of mean) and an arterial pH of 7.07 +/- 0.05 a mean loading dose of 6.5 +/- 0.82 units of soluble insulin was administered intravenously, and thereafter a sustaining infusion of 6.5 +/- 0.82 U/hr was continued until ketosis was corrected and the plasma glucose fell below 300 mg/100 ml. The total insulin dose needed to achieve this was 39.2 +/- 6.6 units given over a 3 to 10-hour period. Plasma insulin was measured in patients who had not previously received insulin and the mean level at an infusion rate of 4 U/hr was 75.6 +/- 8.0 muU/ml. Plasma glucose fell at a regular rate of 101 +/- 11 mg/100 ml/hr, and ketosis improved in parallel. Plasma potassium was well maintained throughout treatment. This regimen of treatment was clinically effective and simple to follow.

Acid production in diabetic acidosis; a more rational approach to alkali replacement

The production of organic acids in severe diabetic acidosis was studied to determine the contribution of various acids and to reassess alkali requirements. In 11 patients the mean total concentration of determined organic acids was 16 mEq/l., while the mean estimated base deficit was 24 mEq/l. Acetoacetic and beta-hydroxybutyric acids accounted for 75% of measured organic acid. In 10 patients the mean amount of sodium bicarbonate administered for correction of the acidosis was 185 mEq, while the mean requirement was 394 mEq.These findings imply that the methods commonly used to determine the base deficit and the alkali requirements in patients with diabetic acidosis may be invalid. The prompt administration of alkali should be limited, and we suggest that the blood pH should be restored only to 7.25.