8243 Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Unveiled: Delayed Presentation and Complications of SGLT-2 Inhibitor Therapy in a Multimorbid Patient - A Case Report
Authors: Amin Tasnuva , Bala Anahaat K , Jones Mathew A , Akula Monika S , Chalasani Krishna , Patel Mayurkumar , Cheng Jennifer 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: T. Amin: None. A.K. Bala: None. M.A. Jones: None. M.S. Akula: None. K. Chalasani: None. M. Patel: None. J. Cheng: None.

Introduction: Normal serum glucose levels (&lt;200 mg/dL) in euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) can complicate the typical clinical presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), posing a diagnostic challenge. SGLT-2 inhibitors, a class of antihyperglycemic drugs, have been rarely but significantly associated with EDKA. These inhibitors enhance renal glucose clearance by preventing glucose reabsorption via sodium-glucose cotransport. The increased renal clearance may contribute to the euglycemic picture, potentially leading to an underestimation of required insulin dosage, thereby precipitating ketoacidosis in EDKA. Although the mechanisms of EDKA are not fully understood, the association with SGLT-2 inhibitors is becoming increasingly evident. Case A 53-year-old male with a medical history of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, was admitted to the trauma bay after a fall. Medications included empagliflozin, metformin, aspirin, amlodipine, spironolactone, and carvedilol. Upon presentation, he had a brief loss of consciousness, complained of headache and chest pain, and was found to have an epidural hematoma with regional brain compression on the CT head. Admission labs showed a blood glucose level of 172, an unremarkable anion gap, and normal renal and liver function tests. Due to traumatic brain injury, he was admitted to the ICU for neurological monitoring. Despite remaining neurologically stable, he developed hypoxia, necessitating intubation. After successful extubation, he exhibited worsening metabolic acidosis on the fourth day, with an elevated anion gap of 22 and a blood glucose level of 174. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed a pH of 7.3 (and elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate (&gt;4), while lactic acid levels remained normal. Urine analysis showed elevated blood glucose (&gt;1000) and ketones (&gt;40). Home medications, metformin, and empagliflozin were appropriately withheld, but euglycemic DKA attributed to empagliflozin was diagnosed. Treatment included intravenous fluid resuscitation and insulin infusion, leading to resolution of acidosis and improved mentation within 24 hours. Conclusion: EDKA is a diagnosis of exclusion often overlooked in ICU patients due to diverse causes of high-anion gap metabolic acidosis. Typical cases occur while the patient is using the drug, often associated with triggers like illness, alcohol use, surgery, or starvation. SGLT2 inhibitors, such as empagliflozin, with a half-life of 12.4 hours, are expected to clear the bloodstream in about 48 hours, yet this case suggests an association with EDKA both during use and after drug cessation. This delayed presentation highlights additional risk considerations associated with SGLT2 inhibitors, guiding future clinical diagnoses of EDKA even several days post discontinuation.

Presentation: 6/3/2024