The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and treated with intravenous insulin,
sodium bicarbonate and aggressive intravenous fluid administration. His metabolic acidosis
and hyperglycaemia quickly improved, and his EKG normalized (Fig. 2) without
haemodialysis. He was liberated from mechanical ventilation within 24 h of admission. His
hospital course was complicated by alcohol withdrawal, which was treated with lorazepam.
He was discharged home after refusing rehabilitation on hospital day #5.