Which factors influence glycemic control in the intensive care unit?
OBJECTIVE
Intensive insulin therapy titrated to restore and maintain blood glucose between 80 and 110 mg/dl (4.4-6.1 mmol/l) was found to improve survival of critically ill patients in one pioneering proof-of-concept study performed in a surgical intensive care unit. The external validity of these findings was investigated.


RESULTS
Six independent prospective randomized controlled trials, involving 9877 patients in total, were unable to confirm the survival benefit reported in the pioneering trial. Several hypotheses were proposed to explain this discrepancy, including the case-mix, the features of the usual care, the quality of glucose control and the risks associated with hypoglycemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Before a better understanding and delineation of the conditions associated with and improved outcome by tight glycemic control, the choice of an intermediate glycemic target appears as a safe and effective solution.
Preiser
Jean-Charles
JC
Department of General Intensive Care, University Hospital Centre of Liege, Liege, Belgium. Jean-Charles.Preiser@chu.ulg.ac.be
Devos
Philippe
P
Chiolero
René
R
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012106:Research; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin