Severe euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis of multifactorial etiology in a type 2 diabetic patient treated with empagliflozin: case report and literature review

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

This article reviews the most current literature on diabetic ketoacidosis, including how to make the diagnosis and management. It discusses euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and the risk factors for this rare but dangerous disease process. Pertinent pearls and pitfalls encountered by the emergency physician when managing these patients are included. Because these patients often stay in the emergency department for prolonged periods, recommendations on transitioning to subcutaneous insulin are included, along with dosing recommendations. Finally, the article reviews how to disposition patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and examines important factors that lead to a successful discharge home.

Empagliflozin-associated postoperative mixed metabolic acidosis. Case report and review of pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with SGLT2 inhibitors is a rare, relatively new and potentially fatal clinical entity, characterized by metabolic acidosis with normal or only moderately elevated glycemia. The mechanisms are not fully understood but involve increased ketogenesis and complex renal metabolic dysfunction, resulting in both ketoacidosis and hyperchloremic acidosis. We report a rare case of fatal empagliflozin-associated acidosis with profound hyperchloremia and review its pathogenesis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with empagliflozin underwent an elective hip replacement surgery. Since day 4 after surgery, he felt generally unwell, leading to cardiac arrest on the day 5. Empagliflozin-associated euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis with severe hyperchloremic acidosis was identified as the cause of the cardiac arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

This unique case documents the possibility of severe SGLT2 inhibitor-associated mixed metabolic acidosis with a predominant hyperchloremic component. Awareness of this possibility and a high index of suspicion are crucial for correct and early diagnosis.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor-associated perioperative ketoacidosis: a systematic review of case reports

Although the recommended preoperative cessation period for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) changed in 2020 (from 24 h to 3-4 days preoperatively) to reduce the risk of SGLT2i-associated perioperative ketoacidosis (SAPKA), the validity of the new recommendation has not been verified. Using case reports, we assessed the new recommendation effectiveness and extrapolated precipitating factors for SAPKA. We searched electronic databases up to June 1, 2022 to assess SAPKA (blood pH < 7.3 and blood or urine ketone positivity within 30 days postoperatively in patients taking SGLT2i). We included 76 publications with 99 cases. The preoperative SGLT2i cessation duration was reported for 59 patients (59.6%). In all cases with available cessation periods, the SGLT2is were interrupted < 3 days preoperatively. No SAPKA cases with > 2-day preoperative cessation periods were found. Many case reports lack important information for estimating precipitating factors, including preoperative SGLT2i cessation period, body mass index, baseline hemoglobin A1c level, details of perioperative fluid management, and type of anesthesia. Our study suggested that preoperative SGLT2i cessation for at least 3 days could prevent SAPKA. Large prospective epidemiologic studies are needed to identify risk factors for SAPKA.

Empagliflozin induces apoptotic-signaling pathway in embryonic vasculature: In vivo and in silico approaches via chick’s yolk sac membrane model

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the vascular-toxicity of empagliflozin (EMP) in embryonic vasculature. Firstly, the vascular-toxicity of the drug as well as its interaction with apoptotic regulator proteins was predicted via in silico approach. In the next step, the apoptotic-signaling pathway in embryonic vasculature was evaluated using a chick’s YSM model. In silico simulation confirmed vascular-toxicity of EMP. There was also an accurate affinity between EMP, Bax and Bcl-2 (−7.9 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics assay revealed complex stability in the human body conditions. Furthermore, EMP is suggested to alter Bcl-2 more than BAX. Morphometric quantification of the vessels showed that the apoptotic activity of EMP in embryonic vasculature was related to a marked reduction in vessel area, vessel diameter and mean capillary area. Based on the qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays, enhanced expression level of BAX and reduced expression level of Bcl-2 confirmed apoptotic responses in the vessels of the YSM. We observed that induction of an apoptotic signal can cause the embryonic defect of the vascular system following EMP treatment. The acquired data also raised suspicions that alteration in apoptotic genes and proteins in the vasculature are two critical pathways in vascular-toxicity of EMP.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with acute stroke taking sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor

Introduction

Diabetic Ketoacidosis is characterized by a triad of metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, and ketonemia. It is a medical emergency that needs urgent and aggressive management. In some cases, the blood glucose level may be relatively normal. Such a condition is known as Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Case presentation

We present a case of Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis, who was initially brought to the emergency room with the features of acute stroke. There was a diagnostic dilemma among the treating physicians due to his relatively normal blood glucose levels while he developed ketoacidosis.

Discussion

Presentation of the patients includes similar to DKA such as nausea, vomiting, malaise, fatigue, and Kussmaul's respiration. The diabetic patients under sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor therapy may develop it under the setting of different precipitating factors like infection, trauma/surgery, strenuous physical exercise, fasting, alcohol intake and acute vascular events.

Conclusion

Euglycemic DKA is a rare condition and its diagnosis is a challenging task. So, we should always consider it as a differential whenever any diabetic patient shows with increased anion gap metabolic acidosis with or without typical symptoms and signs. Also, we need to be aware to discontinue of SGLT-2 medication during the time of infection, surgery, severe trauma, acute illness and dehydration in the diabetic patients.

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Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency with a triad of metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia and ketonemia.

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The precipitating factors includes infection, surgery, fasting, alcohol intake, acute vascular events, trauma and prolonged physical exercise.

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Patient presents with complaints similar to DKA such as nausea, vomiting, malaise, fatigue, and Kussmaul's respiration.

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Management includes fluid resuscitation, insulin infusion, dextrose and potassium supplementation.

A Case of Hyperglycemic Ketoacidosis in a Patient Without Diabetes

We present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian female who presented to the emergency department with acute pancreatitis and ketoacidosis. An extensive workup for ketoacidosis showed that the patient had hyperglycemic ketoacidosis with findings similar to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, the patient did not have a history of diabetes, and no diagnosis of diabetes could be made on the current admission as well. Ketoacidosis was determined to be induced by acute hyperglycemia secondary to pancreatitis, which suppresses insulin secretion transiently. It is important to note that DKA can be seen in patients with different types of diabetes and is not just limited to type 1 diabetes.

New Diabetic Medication Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Can Induce Euglycemic Ketoacidosis and Mimic Surgical Diseases: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Background

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) is a potentially life-threatening condition and a reported side effect of antidiabetic sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2-inhibitors (SGLT2-I). The analysis of the herein presented case and its management formed the incentive to prepare this multidisciplinary work and includes an overview about perioperative SGLT2-I-induced ketoacidosis.

Method

A PubMed search on relevant entries was conducted combining the terms “euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis” AND “surgery.”

Results

A total of 33 articles on SGLT2-I-induced ketoacidosis in the context of surgical treatment were identified. According to this literature research risk factors for the development are infection, perioperative fasting, surgical stress, and insulin dose reduction.

Conclusion

Unspecific symptoms mimicking acute abdomen and normoglycemia can lead to delayed diagnosis of EDKA and might harm patients under SGLT2-I therapy in the perioperative setting. SGLT2-I medication should be withheld for at least 24–48 h prior to surgery according to this review of literature and restarted only in stable clinical conditions to avoid the severe complication of EDKA.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis after Discontinuing SGLT2 Inhibitor

Background

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been proven to be very effective in the management of type II diabetes. These medications can cause adverse drug reactions such as genital mycotic infections. Another critical adverse drug reaction is euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) under the setting of other contributing risk factors for developing diabetic ketoacidosis. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 45-year-old gentleman with type 2 diabetes mellitus on empagliflozin, metformin, and glimepiride who presented with abdominal pain, fatigue, and vomiting. Of note, he started a ketogenic diet three days before his presentation and self-stopped his antidiabetic medications two days before his presentation. The patient was found to have euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and was treated as per the protocol. He was discharged on metformin and pioglitazone. Two weeks following discharge, canagliflozin was added.

Conclusion

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis could still be precipitated despite discontinuation of SGLT2I under a ketogenic diet. Discussion related to the initiation of a ketogenic diet should occur between the care provider and the patient.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor-induced euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019: a case report

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are among the new-generation oral antihyperglycemic agents that have been used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. With the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and rise of cases in the third wave, diagnosis of life-threatening euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis may easily be overlooked or missed.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 37-year-old Malay gentleman with underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus on empagliflozin, who presented to our hospital with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 infection and diabetic ketoacidosis. He developed severe rebound euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis due to the continuous usage of empagliflozin for glycemic control alongside intravenous insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should have a high index of suspicion in diagnosing and managing euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, including withholding treatment of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during the acute management of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with SGLT2 inhibitors: A systematic review and quantitative analysis

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SGLT-2 inhibitors associated euglycemic and hyperglycemic DKA in a multicentric cohort

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EuDKA) secondary to Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a rare but increasingly reported phenomenon. Not much is known about the burden of EuDKA in patients on SGLT2i or the associated factors. This retrospective cohort study tries to delineate the differences in factors associated with the development of EuDKA as compared to hyperglycemic DKA. We conducted a multicentre, retrospective study across three tertiary care centers under Weill Cornell affiliated-Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. The cohort comprised of T2D patients on SGLT2i who developed DKA between January 2015 to December 2020. The differences between the subjects who developed EuDKA or hyperglycaemic DKA (hDKA) were analyzed. A total of 9940 T2D patients were on SGLT2i during 2015–2020, out of which 43 developed DKA (0.43%). 25 developed EuKDA, whereas 18 had hDKA. The point prevalence of EuDKA in our cohort was 58.1%. EuDKA was most common in patients using canagliflozin, followed by empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin (100%, 77%, and 48.3%, respectively). Overall, infection (32.6%) was the most common trigger for DKA, followed by insulin non-compliance (13.7%). Infection was the only risk factor with a significant point estimate between the two groups, being more common in hDKA patients (p-value 0.006, RR 2.53, 95% CI 1.07–5.98). Canagliflozin had the strongest association with the development of EuDKA and was associated with the highest medical intensive care unit (MICU) admission rates (66.6%). In T2D patients on SGLT2i, infection is probably associated with an increased risk of developing EuDKA. The differential role of individual SGLT2i analogs is less clear and will need exploration by more extensive prospective studies.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors: A Focused Review of Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Triggers

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute and significant life-threatening complication of diabetes. The association of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) with euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) has been well reported. This literature review was conducted to understand the mechanism of EDKA and identify the potential risk factors and precipitants for patients taking SGLT2i. After reviewing the published literature between 2010 and 2020, 32 articles are included in the final review. The underlying mechanism is mainly enhanced lipolysis and ketone body reabsorption. SGLT2i also stimulates pancreatic alpha cells and inhibits beta cells, causing an imbalance in glucagon/insulin levels, further contributing to lipolysis and ketogenesis. Most patients were diagnosed with blood glucose less than 200 mg/dL, blood pH <7.3, increased anion gap, increased blood, or urine ketones. Perioperative fasting, pancreatic etiology, low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet, obesity, and malignancy are identified precipitants in this review. As normoglycemia can conceal the underlying acidosis, physicians should be cognizant of the EDKA diagnosis and initiate prompt treatment. Patient education on risk factors and triggers is recommended to avoid future events.

Euglycemic DKA (euDKA) as a presentation of COVID-19

COVID‐19 in the setting of SGLT2 inhibitor use may precipitate euglycemic DKA separate from known acute viral illness and dehydration precipitants. There should be consideration of proactive discontinuation of these medications in these patients.