Metformin-associated severe lactic acidosis combined with multi-organ insufficiency induced by infection with Aeromonas veronii: A case report

Lactic acidosis is a disease in which lactic acid accumulates in the blood and causes acidosis in the patient. The criteria for diagnosis are a lactate level of >2 mmol/L in the blood and a blood pH of <7.2. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 72-year-old Asian female with a history of diabetes for 20+ years was admitted to the hospital with the chief complaint of “dry mouth, polydipsia for 20+ years, loss of appetite for 5+ days, vomiting for 1-day.” She was admitted with a blood gas pH of 6.795, and a lactate level of >30 mmol/L. DIAGNOSES: Type 2 diabetes mellitus with lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, chronic renal insufficiency, hypertensive disease, and coronary arteriosclerotic heart disease. INTERVENTIONS: She was treated with symptomatic rehydration and ketone reduction immediately, but then became unconscious and was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she was administered symptomatic support and continuous renal replacement therapy. As the blood culture showed Aeromonas veronii, she was administered a sensitive antibiotic in conjunction. OUTCOMES: However, after achieving a stable internal environment and good infection control, the patient’s family decided to discontinue treatment because of persistent heart failure with acute exacerbation of chronic renal insufficiency complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding. LESSONS: Lactic acidosis has low incidence, poor prognosis, and high morbidity and mortality rates. Special attention should be paid to infection-induced acidosis, especially in patients with combined multi-organ insufficiency. Early diagnosis and active management can improve the patient prognosis.