Adrenal crisis is a life-threatening emergency due to an acute deficiency of adrenocortical hormones, namely cortisol and aldosterone, which can be fatal if not diagnosed early and treated aggressively. Classically it presents as severe hypotension refractory to IV fluids and vasopressors.
Diagnostic Criteria:
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyponatremia (<135mEq/L)
- Hyperkalemia (>5mEq/L)
- Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis
- Low bicarbonate (15-20mEq/L)
- Elevated BUN and creatinine
