Episode 897: Adrenal Crisis

Contributor: Ricky Dhaliwal MD Educational Pearls: Primary adrenal insufficiency (most common risk factor for adrenal crises) An autoimmune condition commonly known as Addison's Disease Defects in the cells of the adrenal glomerulosa and fasciculata result in deficient glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids Mineralocorticoid deficiency leads to hyponatremia and hypovolemia Lack of aldosterone downregulates Endothelial Sodium Channels (ENaCs) at the renal tubules Water follows sodium and generates a hypovolemic state Glucocorticoid deficiency contributes further to hypotension and hyponatremia Decreased vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II Increased secretion of vasopressin (ADH) from the posterior pituitary An adrenal crisis is defined as a sudden worsening of adrenal insufficiency Presents with non-specific symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, and fevers Fevers may be the result of underlying infection Work-up in the ED includes labs looking for infection and adding cortisol + ACTH levels Emergent treatment is required 100 mg hydrocortisone bolus followed by 50 mg every 6 hours Immediate IV fluid repletion with 1L normal saline The most common cause of an adrenal crisis is an acute infection in patients with baseline adrenal insufficiency Often due to a gastrointestinal infection References 1. Bancos I, Hahner S, Tomlinson J, Arlt W. Diagnosis and management of adrenal insufficiency. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;3(3):216-226. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70142-1 2. Bornstein SR, Allolio B, Arlt W, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(2):364-389. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-1710 3. Cronin CC, Callaghan N, Kearney PJ, Murnaghan DJ, Shanahan F. Addison disease in patients treated with glucocorticoid therapy. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(4):456-458. 4. Feldman RD, Gros R. Vascular effects of aldosterone: sorting out the receptors and the ligands. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;40(12):916-921. doi:10.1111/1440-1681.12157 5. Hahner S, Loeffler M, Bleicken B, et al. Epidemiology of adrenal crisis in chronic adrenal insufficiency: the need for new prevention strategies. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010;162(3):597-602. doi:10.1530/EJE-09-0884  Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit