Euglycemic ketoacidosis as a cause of a metabolic acidosis in the Intensive Care Unit
John, R.; Yadav, H.; John, M.
Acute Medicine 11(4): 219-221
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1747-4892 PMID: 23364105 Document Number: 12479
Euglycaemic ketoacidosis is a rare endocrine emergency, which can have disastrous consequences if left undiagnosed. We present the case of a 57 year old man with type 2 diabetes who developed ketoacidosis (DKA) following a myocardial infarction, despite being normoglycaemic, following discontinuation of his insulin infusion in an intensive care setting. The case highlights the importance of capillary ketone body testing in this scenario as well as the dangers of an over reliance on blood glucose values in the diagnosis of ketoacidosis. The notion that DKA can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is reaffirmed and the value of adequate insulin therapy in euglycaemic ketoacidosis is emphasized.
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