[Treatment of hyperglycemic coma states in diabetics]

In the treatment of acute decompensation of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar non-acidotic syndrome the basic demand is insulin administration--in small doses by the i.v. route, preferably by means of an injectomat in a permanent infusion. An alternative method for departments which do not possess a suitable infusion pump, is fractionated administration of small insulin amounts into the vein after 30 minute intervals. Equally important is rehydration treatment with saline; only in case of hypernatriaemia above 150 mmol/l the author recommends 0.45% NaCl. Acidosis in DKA is corrected by sodium bicarbonate only at pH 7.1 or less. As to K cations, the replacement of potassium ions is most important; the value of substitution of other cations (Ca, Mg) is doubtful and is not currently done, the same applies to phosphate anion replacement. It has not been proved that prevention of thromboembolic complications by heparin is expedient in these conditions.