Intensive insulin therapy for critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of glycemic control of intensive insulin therapy and recommend its place in the management of critically ill patients.


METHODS
Searches of MEDLINE (1966-March 2004) and Cochrane Library, as well as an extensive manual review of abstracts were performed using the key search terms hyperglycemia, insulin, intensive care unit, critically ill, outcomes, and guidelines and algorithms.


METHODS
All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and deemed relevant if they included and assessed clinical outcomes.


RESULTS
Mortality among patients with prolonged critical illness exceeds 20%, and most deaths are attributable to sepsis and multisystem organ failure. Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients, even in those with no history of diabetes mellitus. Maintaining normoglycemia with insulin in critically ill patients has been shown to improve neurologic, cardiovascular, and infectious outcomes. Most importantly, morbidity and mortality are reduced with aggressive insulin therapy. This information can be implemented into protocols to maintain strict control of glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of insulin protocols in critically ill patients improves blood glucose control and reduces morbidity and mortality in critically ill populations. Glucose levels in critically ill patients should be controlled through implementation of insulin protocols with the goal to achieve normoglycemia, regardless of a history of diabetes. Frequent monitoring is imperative to avoid hypoglycemia.
Lewis
Kelly S
KS
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, Rush Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kane-Gill
Sandra L
SL
Bobek
Mary Beth
MB
Dasta
Joseph F
JF
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017053:Infection Control; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin