Sudden death in a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes having hyperosmolar non-ketotic acidosis with sickle cell trait.
Sickle cell trait (SCT) has a UK urban population rate estimated at 3.2%. The condition may remain unrecognised, but sudden death is a recognised feature. The sudden death of a 51-year-old man with SCT who presented with hyperosmolar non-ketotic acidosis (HONK) as his first presentation of diabetes is reported here. After admission to hospital, a rapid deterioration was seen in his condition, with loss of cardiac output, leading to death. He was found to have had acute-chest syndrome and hepatosplenic infarction on postmortem examination. The pathophysiology of sudden death in patients with SCT and the role of HONK in the patient's demise is discussed here.
Biedrzycki
O
O
St George's Hospital, Tooting, London, UK. olafbiedrzycki@aol.com
Gillespie
H
H
Lucas
S
S
D000138:Acidosis / Q000150:complications*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology