title: Strict normoglycaemic blood glucose levels in the therapeutic management of patients within 12h after cardiac arrest might not be necessary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The admission blood glucose level after cardiac arrest is predictive of outcome. However the blood glucose levels in the post-resuscitation period, that are optimal remains a matter of debate. We wanted to assess an association between blood glucose levels at 12h after restoration of spontaneous circulation and neurological recovery over 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 234 patients from a multi-centre trial examining the effect of mild hypothermia on neurological outcome were included. According to the serum glucose level at 12h after restoration of spontaneous circulation, quartiles (Q) were generated: Median (range) glucose concentrations were for QI 100 (67-115 mg/dl), QII 130 (116-143 mg/dl), QIII 162 (144-193 mg/dl) and QIV 265 (194-464 mg/dl).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis there was a strong non-linear association between blood glucose and good neurological outcome (odds ratio compared to QIV): QI 8.05 (3.03-21.4), QII 13.41 (4.9-36.67), QIII 1.88 (0.67-5.26). After adjustment for sex, age, "no-flow" and "low-flow" time, adrenaline (epinephrine) dose, history of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, and therapeutic hypothermia, this association still remained strong: QI 4.55 (1.28-16.12), QII 13.02 (3.29-49.9), QIII 1.37 (0.38-5.64).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong non-linear association of survival with good neurological outcome and blood glucose levels 12h after cardiac arrest even after adjusting for potential confounders. Not only strict normoglycaemia, but also blood glucose levels from 116 to 143 mg/dl were correlated with survival and good neurological outcome, which might have an important therapeutic implication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Losert
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sterz
authors.forename: Risto O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Roine
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Erga
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerchiari
authors.forename: Marjaana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiainen
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müllner
authors.forename: Anton N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Laggner
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Herkner
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bischof
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose