Fatal Metformin Overdose Presenting with Progressive Hyperglycemia
General Material Designation
[Article]
First Statement of Responsibility
Suchard, Jeffrey R; Grotsky, Thomas A
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
A 29-year-old man with no history of diabetes ingested over 60 grams of metformin in a suicide attempt. He presented to the emergency department with acute renal insufficiency, severe lactic acidosis, and rapidly-progressive hyperglycemia. The patient's peak serum glucose level of 707 mg/dL is the highest yet reported in a case of metformin toxicity. Treatment included sodium bicarbonate infusion and hemodialysis, but the patient suffered several cardiac arrests with pulseless electrical activity and ultimately expired 25 hours after the ingestion.
SET
Date of Publication
2008
Title
Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health