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Hypertriglyceridemia as a possible cause of coma: a case report
Ryota Inokuchi1, Akinori Matsumoto, Ryuta Azihara
1Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, 2-5-20 Nishinouchi, Koriyama, Fukushima, 963-8558, Japan. inokuchir-icu@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Severely high triglyceride levels can cause hyperviscosity, leading to stroke-like symptoms. Measuring plasma viscosity may help diagnose unexplained neurological events in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Elevated triglyceride levels are linked to increased stroke risk.
- Hypertriglyceridemia may independently increase plasma viscosity and reduce blood flow.
- The role of hypertriglyceridemia as an independent ischemic stroke risk factor remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of stroke-like symptoms potentially caused by hypertriglyceridemia-induced hyperviscosity.
- To highlight the diagnostic value of plasma viscosity measurement in specific clinical scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient presenting with sudden coma.
- Laboratory analysis revealed hyperglycemia, high glycated hemoglobin, extremely high triglycerides (type V hyperlipoproteinemia), and high plasma viscosity.
- Treatment involved intravenous fluids, leading to decreased triglyceride levels and improved consciousness.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced coma attributed to triglyceride-mediated hyperviscosity.
- Intravenous fluid administration successfully reduced triglyceride levels and improved neurological status.
- Serum lipid levels normalized within seven days of admission.
Conclusions:
- Triglyceride-mediated hyperviscosity is a plausible explanation for the patient's transient ischemic attack-like symptoms.
- Plasma viscosity measurement can be a valuable diagnostic tool when the cause of stroke-like symptoms is unclear.
- This case underscores the importance of considering hypertriglyceridemia and hyperviscosity in the differential diagnosis of neurological events.
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