Intensive care medicine

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Tachycardia

Endocrinology

Hypokalemia

Hyperpnea

Tachypnea

Respiratory failure

Internal medicine

Respiratory system

Medicine

Diabetes mellitus

World Journal of Diabetes

Diabetes affects approximately 30 million persons in the United States.Diabetes ketoacidosis is one of the most serious and acute complications of diabetes.At the time of presentation and during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), several metabolic and electrolyte derangements can ultimately result in respiratory compromise.Most commonly, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia can eventually lead to respiratory muscles failure.Furthermore, tachypnea, hyperpnea and more severely, Kussmaul breathing pattern can develop.Also, hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic pulmonary edema can occur secondary to volume shifts into the extracellular space and secondary to increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries.The presence of respiratory failure in patients with DKA is associated with higher morbidity and mortality.Being familiar with the causes of respiratory compromise in DKA, and how to treat them, may represent better outcomes for patients with DKA.

Effects of diabetic ketoacidosis in the respiratory system