A unique case of acute multiple arterial thrombosis complicating diabetic ketoacidosis

Abstract

Acute aortic occlusion is a very rare but devastating occurrence in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We report a unique presentation of DKA with aortic thrombi and distal arterial emboli. A 53-year-old woman, type 2 diabetes presented due to 7 days of abdominal complaint and DKA. She developed gangrene of her right leg. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed extensive thrombus formation in the aorta, and filling defects in other major arteries. The arterial occlusions most likely resulted from a hypercoagulable state associated with her DKA. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for arterial thrombosis in patients presenting with DKA.