Objective: Evaluate safety and efficacy of a novel, simultaneous 2-bag (2B) maintenance intravenous fluid (IVF) DKA protocol compared with a conventional, single 1-bag (1B) protocol in adults.

Methods: Retrospective, observational review of patients treated with a DKA protocol from March-June 2017 (1B group) and March-June 2019 (2B group). One bag (1B) protocol: individual infusion of 1B IVF of ½ NS, ½ NS + KCL, D5W, OR D5W + KCL. Two bag (2B) protocol: simultaneous IVF infusion of 2B of D10W + KCL AND ½ NS + KCL. Safety endpoints of hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia as well as efficacy endpoints of DKA resolution, incidence of rebound hyperglycemia, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were evaluated.

Results: A total of 605 patients were included (1B: n=204; 2B: n=401). Both groups had similar baseline characteristics except a higher baseline beta-hydroxybutyrate level in the 2B group than 1B (3.2 vs. 2.4; P=0.02) and differences in distribution of Body Mass Index (BMI) categories. Safety: Significantly fewer patients had hypoglycemia (BG <70 mg/dL) in the 2B group than 1B (15% vs. 22%, P=0.04), but severe hypoglycemia (BG < 40 mg/dL) was not different (0.5% vs. 1.5%, P=0.3). Incidence of hyperkalemia (K > 5.2 mEq/L) was significantly lower in the 2B group than 1B (10% vs. 21%, P<0.01), but hypokalemia (K < 3.3 mEq/L) was not different (21% vs. 24%, P=0.4). Efficacy: Median time to DKA resolution was similar between the 2B and 1B (15.0 vs. 15.6 hours, P=0.6). Rebound hyperglycemia (BG > 250 mg/dL) was less in 2B than 1B (29% vs. 44%, P<0.01). The 2B group had a trend of decreased LOS, but the difference was not statically significant (3.7 vs. 4.3 days, P=0.06).

Conclusion: In adult patients with DKA, a 2-bag protocol performed better in hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, and rebound hyperglycemia without changing time to DKA resolution or LOS. In addition, the 2-bag protocol offered simplicity by decreasing the number of IVF bag options for the nurse.

Disclosure

R. Halfon: Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; Pfizer Inc. D. Dreucean: None. M. Sirimaturos: None. A. R. Sadhu: None.

© 2021 by the American Diabetes Association
2021
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