A 61-year-old male with a recent diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was brought to the emergency department for altered mental status. He had recently started taking prednisone to manage his autoimmune disease and had a progressive decline in his mental status along with decreased oral intake. Evaluation revealed hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and occlusive arterial thrombosis, a rare but known complication of HHS. He was resuscitated aggressively with intravenous fluids, insulin, and heparin and admitted to the intensive care unit. Emergency physicians should remain vigilant for ischemic complications in patients with HHS. Early recognition and treatment can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this endocrine emergency.

Emergency physicians (EP) frequently resuscitate and manage critically ill patients. Resuscitation of the crashing obese patient presents a unique challenge for even the most skilled physician. Changes in anatomy, metabolic demand, cardiopulmonary reserve, ventilation, circulation, and pharmacokinetics require special consideration. This article focuses on critical components in the resuscitation of the crashing obese patient in the emergency department, namely intubation, mechanical ventilation, circulatory resuscitation, and pharmacotherapy. To minimize morbidity and mortality, it is imperative that the EP be familiar with the pearls and pitfalls discussed within this article.