Perioperative euglycemic DKA: The YIN and YANG of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are gaining widespread acceptance in managing diabetic patients due to their favorable cardiac and renal protective effects. However, these drugs can cause a lethal complication described as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor-associated perioperative ketoacidosis (SAPKA) if they are continued until surgery. The FDA recommends stopping these medications at least 4–6 days before surgery to avoid the risk of euglycemic ketoacidosis, which can present a diagnostic challenge for perioperative physicians. We present three patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgeries who on SGLT2 inhibitors developed perioperative SGLT2i-associated perioperative ketoacidosis.

Keywords

• perioperative euglycemic dka
• sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors
• sapka