Vo Andrea, Nguyen Minh B, Song Joo Lee, Cheng Andrew L, Festekjian Ara
Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
J Emerg Med. 2019 Jun;56(6):e111-e114. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.01.031. Epub 2019 Mar 14.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common complication affecting patients with type 1 diabetes, and DKA is associated with dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), although a common tachydysrhythmia in the pediatric population, remains a rare entity in patients presenting with DKA.
We describe a case of first-time SVT in an adolescent patient with DKA and recent methamphetamine abuse, with both factors likely predisposing him to develop a tachydysrhythmia. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: SVT can be present in a patient who has concomitant recent stimulant intake and DKA. A trial of abortive therapy, such as adenosine, should be considered upon diagnosis.
