Don’t assume that the rapid-fire session on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) titled “DKA and Hyperosmolar Syndrome—High-Yield Pearls and Pitfalls” is geared just toward emergency physicians who typically see a lot of diabetics.

“This topic applies to all emergency physicians, whether or not they’re in a rural setting, an urban setting, even an urgent care setting, because DKA can present in any patient,” said Camiron Pfennig, MD, MHPE, an emergency physician with Greenville Health System and associate professor at the University of South Carolina in Greenville, who is presenting the session with Chandra Aubin, MD, RDMS, associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Dr. Pfennig said the session is meant to push ED providers to keep DKA and hyperosmolar syndrome front of mind.

“DKA can present in a patient who has known diabetes, but DKA can also be the presenting problem in a patient who didn’t even know they had diabetes. It applies to both adults and children,” she said. “Honestly, it crosses the spectrum of emergency medicine from start to finish.”

Dr. Pfennig said the session is meant to push ED providers to keep DKA and hyperosmolar syndrome front of mind given that these are potentially life-threatening complications of diabetes.

“These patients that come in can be so hemodynamically unstable, dehydrated, and altered,” she said. “It is crucial to recognize diabetic emergencies in the differential very early in the presentation to begin focusing on fluid management, electrolyte control, and potential insulin drip initiation.”

Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.

Dr. Pfennig

Dr. Aubin

Rapid Fire: DKA and Hyperosmolar Syndrome—High-Yield Pearls and Pitfalls

Wednesday, Oct. 28
9–9:25 a.m.
Room 153 ABC