Diabetic ketoacidosis and sinus arrest conditions in a patient with an inserted cardiac pacemaker

Abstract

It is well known in clinical practice that metabolic acidosis sometimes leads to life-threatening conditions. Acidosis itself is induced by various conditions and diseases, and is classified as either respiratory or metabolic acidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a form of metabolic acidosis, is one of the most serious acute metabolic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), and is often observed in subjects with type 1 DM (T1DM). DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and increased total ketone concentrations [1]. Here, we report a case with pre-existing T1DM and an inserted cardiac pacemaker. The patient with partial loss of consciousness was diagnosed with DKA, and she experienced sick sinus syndrome leading to sinus arrest in the presence of regular pulsation maintained by the cardiac pacemaker.