The efficacy and safety of glucose control algorithms in intensive care: a pilot study of the Survival Using Glucose Algorithm Regulation (SUGAR) trial.
BACKGROUND
The benefits, harms and feasibility of intensive insulin therapy in critically ill patients remain unclear. Several single center studies have attempted to demonstrate the benefit of intensive insulin therapy in critically ill patients with variable results.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted a pilot randomized trial to assess the feasibility, safety and clinical outcomes of preprinted glucose management algorithms before the initiation of a large multicenter trial.


METHODS
Within 48 hours of admission to the intensive care unit, we randomized mechanically ventilated patients to either the "high" group (target serum glucose concentration 9-11 mmol/l) or the "low" group (target serum glucose concentration 5-7 mmol/l). To assess feasibility we measured the time to reach target glucose range, time in target range, morning glucose concentrations, average daily glucose concentrations, and number of crossovers. To assess safety, we measured the number of hypoglycemic events (serum glucose <2.2 mmol/l), and other serious adverse events such as cardiac arrests and seizures.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight patients were enrolled (35 in the high group and 33 in the low group). During the first week, the median proportions of time spent in the target range were 35.7% and 53.0% for the high and low groups, respectlively (p = 0.0001). Morning glucose concentrations were 8.3 +/-1.6 mmol/l and 6.2 -/+1.2 mmol/l. One (2.9%) and 8 (24.2%) episodes of hypoglycemia (<2.2 mmol/l) occurred in the high and low groups, reflecting 0.002 and 0.03 hypoglycemic events per patient-day, respectlively.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot trial of intensive insulin therapy identified numerous challenges that helped in the preparation of an international multicenter randomized trial of intensive insulin therapy to evaluate benefits and harms.
UBC Program of Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. william.henderson@vch.ca
William R
WR
Henderson
Vinay
V
Dhingra
Dean
D
Chittock
Denise
D
Foster
Paul
P
Hebert
Deborah
D
Cook
Daren
D
Heyland
Peter
P
Dodek
Donald
D
Griesdale
Michael
M
Schulzer
Juan J
JJ
Ronco
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D019091:Critical Pathways; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin