Blood glucose level on postoperative day 1 is predictive of adverse outcomes after cardiovascular surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperglycaemia is now a recognized predictive factor of morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). For this reason, we aimed to evaluate the postoperative management of glucose control in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, and to assess the impact of glucose levels on in-hospital mortality and morbidity.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study investigating the association between postoperative blood glucose and outcomes, including death, post-surgical complications, and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in hospital.


RESULTS
A total of 642 consecutive patients were enrolled into the study after cardiovascular surgery (CABG, carotid endarterectomy and bypass in the lower limbs). Patients' mean age was 68+/-10 years, and 74% were male. In-hospital mortality was 5% in diabetic patients vs 2% in non-diabetic patients (OR: 1.66, P=0.076). Having blood glucose levels in the upper quartile range (> or =8.8 mmol/L) on postoperative day 1 was independently associated with death (OR: 10.16, P=0.0002), infectious complications (OR: 1.76, P=0.04) and prolonged ICU stay (OR: 3.10, P<0.0001). Patients presenting with three or more hypoglycaemic episodes (<4.1 mmol/L) had increased rates of mortality (OR: 9.08, P<0.0001) and complications (OR: 8.57, P<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Glucose levels greater than 8.8 mmol/L on postoperative day 1 and having three or more hypoglycaemic episodes in the postoperative period were predictive of mortality and morbidity among patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. This suggests that a multidisciplinary approach may be able to achieve better postoperative blood glucose control.
Frioud
A
A
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Comte-Perret
S
S
Nguyen
S
S
Berger
M M
MM
Ruchat
P
P
Ruiz
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin