A single serum glucose measurement predicts adverse outcomes across the whole range of acute coronary syndromes

Endocrine Care for the Surgical Patient: Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid and Adrenal Conditions

Patients with hyperglycemia, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal insufficiency face increased perioperative risk, which may be mitigated by appropriate management. This review addresses preoperative glycemic control, makes evidence-based recommendations for the increasingly complex perioperative management of noninsulin diabetes medications, and provides guideline-supported strategies for the perioperative management of insulin, including suggested indications for continuous intravenous insulin. The authors propose a strategy for determining when surgery should be delayed in patients with thyroid dysfunction and present a matrix for managing perioperative stress dose corticosteroids based on the limited evidence available.

Relationship between stress hyperglycaemic ratio and incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The stress hyperglycaemic ratio (SHR), a new marker that reflects the true hyperglycaemic state of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in these patients. Studies on the relationship between the SHR and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) incidence are limited. This study elucidated the relationship between the SHR and incidence of IHCA in patients with ACS.

METHODS

In total, 1,939 patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were included. They were divided into three groups according to the SHR: group T1 (SHR ≤ 0.838, N = 646), group T2 (0.838< SHR ≤ 1.140, N = 646), and group T3 (SHR3 > 1.140, N = 647). The primary endpoint was IHCA incidence.

RESULTS

The overall IHCA incidence was 4.1% (N = 80). After adjusting for covariates, SHR was significantly associated with IHCA incidence in patients with ACS who underwent PCI (odds ratio [OR] =  2.6800; 95% confidence interval [CI] =  1.6200-4.4300; p<0.001), and compared with the T1 group, the T3 group had an increased IHCA risk (OR =  2.1800; 95% CI =  1.2100-3.9300; p =  0.0090). In subgroup analyses, after adjusting for covariates, patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (OR =  3.0700; 95% CI =  1.4100-6.6600; p =  0.0050) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) (OR =  2.9900; 95% CI =  1.1000-8.1100; p =  0.0310) were at an increased IHCA risk. After adjusting for covariates, IHCA risk was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR =  2.5900; 95% CI =  1.4200-4.7300; p =  0.0020) and those without DM (non-DM) (OR =  3.3000; 95% CI =  1.2700-8.5800; p =  0.0140); patients with DM in the T3 group had an increased IHCA risk compared with those in the T1 group (OR =  2.4200; 95% CI =  1.0800-5.4300; p =  0.0320). The restriction cubic spline (RCS) analyses revealed a dose-response relationship between IHCA incidence and SHR, with an increased IHCA risk when SHR was higher than 1.773. Adding SHR to the baseline risk model improved the predictive value of IHCA in patients with ACS treated with PCI (net reclassification improvement [NRI]: 0.0734 [0.0058-0.1409], p =  0.0332; integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]: 0.0218 [0.0063-0.0374], p =  0.0060).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ACS treated with PCI, the SHR was significantly associated with the incidence of IHCA. The SHR may be a useful predictor of the incidence of IHCA in patients with ACS. The addition of the SHR to the baseline risk model had an incremental effect on the predictive value of IHCA in patients with ACS treated with PCI.

Diabetes mellitus and blood glucose variability increases the 30-day readmission rate after kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Inpatient hyperglycemia is an established independent risk factor among several patient cohorts for hospital readmission. This has not been studied after kidney transplantation. Nearly one-third of patients who have undergone a kidney transplant reportedly experience 30-day readmission.

METHODS

Data on first-time solitary kidney transplantations were retrieved between September 2015 and December 2018. Information was linked to the electronic health records to determine diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and extract glucometric and insulin therapy data. Univariate logistic regression analysis and the XGBoost algorithm were used to predict 30-day readmission. We report the average performance of the models on the testing set on bootstrapped partitions of the data to ensure statistical significance.

RESULTS

The cohort included 1036 patients who received kidney transplantation; 224 (22%) experienced 30-day readmission. The machine learning algorithm was able to predict 30-day readmission with an average area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 78% with (76.1%, 79.9%) 95% confidence interval (CI). We observed statistically significant differences in the presence of pretransplant diabetes, inpatient-hyperglycemia, inpatient-hypoglycemia, minimum and maximum glucose values among those with higher 30-day readmission rates. The XGBoost model identified the index admission length of stay, presence of hyper- and hypoglycemia, the recipient and donor body mass index (BMI) values, presence of delayed graft function, and African American race as the most predictive risk factors of 30-day readmission. Additionally, significant variations in the therapeutic management of blood glucose by providers were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Suboptimal glucose metrics during hospitalization after kidney transplantation are associated with an increased risk for 30-day hospital readmission. Optimizing hospital blood glucose management, a modifiable factor, after kidney transplantation may reduce the risk of 30-day readmission.

Combining glucose and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Glucose is a universally available inexpensive biomarker, which is increased as part of the physiological stress response to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may therefore help in its early diagnosis. To test this hypothesis, glucose, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) T, and hs-cTnI were measured in consecutive patients presenting with acute chest discomfort to the emergency department (ED) and enrolled in a large international diagnostic study (NCT00470587). Two independent cardiologists centrally adjudicated the final diagnosis using all clinical data, including serial hs-cTnT measurements, cardiac imaging and clinical follow-up. The primary diagnostic endpoint was index non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI). Prognostic endpoints were all-cause death, and cardiovascular (CV) death or future AMI, all within 730-days. Among 5639 eligible patients, NSTEMI was the adjudicated final diagnosis in 1051 (18.6%) patients. Diagnostic accuracy quantified using the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) for the combination of glucose with hs-cTnT and glucose with hs-cTnI was very high, but not higher versus that of hs-cTn alone (glucose/hs-cTnT 0.930 [95% CI 0.922-0.937] versus hs-cTnT 0.929 [95% CI 0.922-0.937]; glucose/hs-cTnI 0.944 [95% CI 0.937-0.951] versus hs-cTnI 0.944 [95% CI 0.937-0.951]). In early-presenters, a dual-marker strategy (glucose < 7 mmol/L and hs-cTnT < 5/hs-cTnI < 4 ng/L) provided very high and comparable sensitivity to slightly lower hs-cTn concentrations (cTnT/I < 4/3 ng/L) alone, and possibly even higher efficacy. Glucose was an independent predictor of 730-days endpoints. Our results showed that a dual marker strategy of glucose and hs-cTn did not increase the diagnostic accuracy when used continuously. However, a cutoff approach combining glucose and hs-cTn may provide diagnostic utility for patients presenting ≤ 3 h after onset of symptoms, also providing important prognostic information.

The stress hyperglycemia ratio improves the predictive ability of the GRACE score for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score is a powerful tool used to predict in-hospital mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and does not include a glycometabolism-related index. We investigated whether the addition of the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) provides incremental prognostic value in addition to the GRACE score.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 613 AMI patients was enrolled in the present analyses. The patients were stratified according to the primary endpoint (in-hospital mortality) and the tertiles of the SHR.

RESULTS

During hospitalization, 40 patients reached the primary endpoint, which was more frequently observed in patients with a higher SHR. The SHR, but not admission blood glucose (ABG), adjusted for the GRACE score independently predicted in-hospital mortality [odds ratio 2.5861; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3910-4.8080; P = 0.0027]. The adjustment of the GRACE score by the SHR improved the predictive ability for in-hospital death (an increase in the C-statistic value from 0.787 to 0.814; net reclassification improvement, 0.6717, 95% CI 0.3665-0.977, P < 0.01; integrated discrimination improvement, 0.028, 95% CI 0.0066-0.0493, P = 0.01028). The likelihood ratio test showed that the SHR significantly improved the prognostic models, including the GRACE score. Adding the SHR to the GRACE score presented a larger net benefit across the range of in-hospital mortality risk than the GRACE score alone.

CONCLUSION

The SHR, but not the ABG, is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality after AMI even after adjusting for the GRACE score. The SHR improves the predictability and clinical usefulness of prognostic models containing the GRACE score.

Neurohumoral response and stress hyperglycemia in myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk for death in acute coronary syndromes. This could be related to underlying glucose metabolism abnormalities or be caused by a counter-regulatory stress response. However, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between stress hormones, hyperglycemia, and clinical outcomes in myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Single-center, prospective, observational study. Patients admitted to the coronary care unit with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction were included. On admission, blood samples were obtained to measure serum glucose, cortisol, and catecholamines. A second sample was obtained at 8 AM after 48 h from admission.

RESULTS

There was a mild and positive correlation between serum cortisol and glucose (Spearman's rho = 0.24, p = 0.005), and no significant correlation was found between glucose and catecholamines. A similar correlation between cortisol and glucose among diabetics and non-diabetics was observed. Significantly higher serum cortisol and glucose levels were present in patients who developed heart failure or died during hospitalization. The association between glycemia and mortality lost significance in multivariate analysis, with a significant interaction term with cortisol (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Cortisol is a key responsible for stress hyperglycemia, and its deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system could be the cause for worst outcomes associated with hyperglycemia in ACS. Further research is warranted to ascertain this relationship and to investigate potential therapeutic targets.

The effect of stress hyperglycemıa seen ın acute ST-segment elevatıon ın myocardıal ınfarctıon on ın-hospıtal mortalıty

INTRODUCTION

The brief rise in blood glucose level during acute physiological stress in patients with no previous symptoms of diabetes mellitus is called stress hyperglycemia.

METHODS

This study is conducted with 1033 patients over the age of 18 who are diagnosed with STEMI and who did not meet the exclusion criteria for 1 year. Patients were divided into 2 groups as DM and non-DM and their blood glucose levels, demographic data (age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, DM, HT presence/absence, history of smoking), vital signs, fatal arrhythmia requiring intervention (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation), cardiac insufficiency development according to Killip score, length of hospital stay, mortality and cardiogenic shock conditions were evaluated. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS 23.0 for Windows^® (IBM Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Results were considered significant at p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

In non-DM group, BG has been found to be significantly higher in mortal cases compared to surviving cases (289.25 ± 106.35 mg/dL for mortal cases; whereas 156.99 ± 58.60 mg/dL for surviving cases; p < 0.001). Likewise, in DM group BG has been found to be higher in mortal cases compared to surviving cases. (328.38 ± 77.13 mg/dL for mortal cases while 237.16 ± 95.00 mg/dL for surviving cases; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who are admitted to the hospital with STEMI, stress hyperglycemia in the non-DM group and hyperglycemia in the DM group are associated with both mortality and adverse conditions; thereby, glucose levels of those patients must be evaluated.

Inpatient hyperglycaemia, and impact on morbidity, mortality and re-hospitalisation rates

INTRODUCTION

Hyperglycaemia is related to poorer outcomes among hospital inpatients. We investigated the impact of hyperglycaemia at admission on length of hospital stay, readmission rate and mortality rate.

METHOD

We retrospectively analysed the records of 1,132 patients admitted to hospital in January 2019, April 2019, August 2019 and April 2020.

RESULTS

Hyperglycaemia was present in 14.1% of patients. New-onset hyperglycaemia on admission (in 3.9% of patients) was related to a higher mortality rate than in patients known to have diabetes admitted with hyperglycaemia (43.3% vs 17.9%; p=0.006). Mortality at 90 days and 1 year increased with higher admission glucose levels (p=0.03 and p=0.005, respectively), severe hyperglycaemia (>20 mmol/L) having a 1-year mortality of 34.3%. After accounting for confounding variables, admission glucose and length of stay remained significant predictors of 1-year mortality (p=0.034 and p=0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycaemia is an important prognostic marker and may indicate a more severe illness. These patients should be highlighted for a greater level of care.

Association between admission blood glucose and prognosis in non-diabetic patients with first-ever acute myocardial infarction

Background: Admission hyperglycemia has been associated with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome.Methods: In this study we sought to determine the association between admission blood sugar (ABS) and the outcomes of non-diabetic patients with first-ever acute myocardial infarction (MI). Non-diabetic patients with MI were evaluated from March 2016 to March 2019. Baseline characteristics, laboratories, electrocardiogram, and baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were recorded. All patients were followed up and outcomes were obtained. Follow-up data comprised of repeating electrocardiogram and echocardiography at 1 year, and MACCE, including re-MI, stroke, and mortality.Results: A total of 312 patients with a mean age of 54.2 ± 11.9 years were evaluated. All patients were followed up for a median of 38 months. The frequencies of in-hospital mortality and MACCE at late follow-up were higher in third tertile of ABS compared with those in first and second tertiles (both p <0.05). Based on the Cox regression analysis, the independent predictors of MACCE included age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.068, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.033 - 1.105, p <0.001), third tertile of ABS >172 mg/dL (HR 21.257, 95% CI 2.832 - 159.577, p=0.003), and baseline LVEF (HR 0.947, 95% CI 0.901 - 0.995, p=0.031).Conclusion: Admission stress hyperglycemia is associated with increased rates of in-hospital mortality and MACCE at late follow-up in non-diabetic patients with MI. Moreover, elevated ABS, older ages, and a decreased value of baseline LVEF predicted MACCE during follow-up.

Admission glucose level and short-term mortality in older patients with acute myocardial infarction: results from the KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between admission blood glucose levels and 28-day mortality as well as in-hospital complications in older patients with incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing modern treatment.

METHODS

From a German population-based regional MI registry, 5530 patients (2016 women), aged 65-84 years, hospitalised with an incident AMI between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2016 were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between admission blood glucose and 28-day mortality as well as in-hospital complications after AMI. Analyses stratified according to age, diabetes and type of infarction (ST-elevation MI (STEMI)/non-STEMI) were conducted.

RESULTS

The adjusted ORs for the association between admission blood glucose and 28-day mortality in young-old (65-74 years) and old (75-84 years) patients with AMI were 1.40 (95% CI: 1.21 to 1.62) and 1.21 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.50) per 1 SD increase in admission blood glucose, respectively. Furthermore, higher admission blood glucose was related to case fatality irrespective of the diabetes status and type of infarction only in the under-75 group. For the patients aged 75-84 years, it was only true for those without diabetes and STEMI. Admission blood glucose was also associated with major cardiac complications in both age groups.

CONCLUSION

Admission blood glucose was significantly associated with 28-day case fatality in patients with AMI aged 65-74 years but not 75-84 years; furthermore, in both age groups there was an increased risk of major complications. It seems that admission glucose may play a rather minor role in terms of case fatality in higher aged patients with AMI.

Stress Induced Hyperglycemia in the Context of Acute Coronary Syndrome: Definitions, Interventions, and Underlying Mechanisms

Elevation of glucose level in response to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been recognized as stress induced hyperglycemia (SIH). Plenty of clinical studies have documented that SIH occurs very common in patients hospitalized with ACS, even in those without previously known diabetes mellitus. The association between elevated blood glucose levels with adverse outcome in the ACS setting is well-established. Yet, the precise definition of SIH in the context of ACS remains controversial, bringing confusions about clinical management strategy. Several randomized trials aimed to evaluate the effect of insulin-based therapy on outcomes of ACS patients failed to demonstrate a consistent benefit of intensive glucose control. Mechanisms underlying detrimental effects of SIH on patients with ACS are undetermined, oxidative stress might play an important role in the upstream pathways leading to subsequent harmful effects on cardiovascular system. This review aims to discuss various definitions of SIH and their values in predicting adverse outcome in the context of ACS, as well as the effect of intensive glucose control on clinical outcome. Finally, a glimpse of the underlying mechanisms is briefly discussed.

Maximum blood glucose levels during hospitalisation to predict mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The aim in this study was to stratify maximum blood glucose levels to identify the the best cut-off value of glucose levels to predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, regardless of whether they had diabetes.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

All clinical data were obtained from the 'Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III' database.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3078 patients with ACS were included in the study. We divided the patients into four levels based on their maximum blood glucose levels (glucose_max), then analysed the relationship between each group with mortality.

RESULTS

Among enrolled patients, 2780 and 298 were survivors and non-survivors, respectively. Blood glucose levels and mortality showed a 'tick' type relationship, with levels 3 and 4 found to be closely associated with increased hospital mortality (p<0.05), relative to level 1 (<6.1 mmol/L), used as the reference group. No significant association was observed in mortality between level 2 and level 1 (p=0.095). In addition, we found a gradual increase in OR for level 2 (OR: 2.42, 95% CI 0.86 to 6.80, p=0.095), level 3 (OR: 4.33, 95% CI 1.55 to 12.13, p=0.005) and level 4 (OR: 7.27, 95% CI 2.56 to 20.62, p<0.001), relative to level 1. Based on receiver operating characteristic curves, the optimal cut-off value for predicting mortality were 11.5 (area under curve (AUC)=0.724), 11.2 (AUC=0.729), 13.4 (AUC=0.638), 15.8 (AUC=0.717) and 11.3 mmol/L (AUC=0.764) in all ACS, acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, diabetes and non-diabetes patients, respectively. The results of subgroup analysis suggested that in patients with significantly elevated blood glucose, the mortality of non-diabetes was higher than patients with diabetes (OR: 0.42, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.57, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overall, glucose_max ≥11.5 mmol/L had a significant association with increased mortality in patients with ACS. Non-diabetes ACS patients need a more robust blood glucose management strategy compared with diabetes counterparts.

Effect of transient elevation of glucose on contractile properties in non-diabetic rat cardiac muscle

In non-diabetic patients with severe disease, such as acute myocardial infarction or acute heart failure, admission blood glucose level is associated with their short-term and long-term mortality. We examined whether transient elevation of glucose affects contractile properties in non-diabetic hearts. Force, intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i), and sarcomere length were measured in trabeculae from rat hearts. To assess contractile properties, maximum velocity of contraction (Max dF/dt) and minimum velocity of relaxation (Min dF/dt) were calculated. The ratio of phosphorylated troponin I (P-TnI) to troponin I (TnI) was measured. One hour after elevation of glucose from 150 to 400 mg/dL, developed force, Max dF/dt, and Min dF/dt were reduced without changes in [Ca²⁺]_i transients at 2.5 Hz stimulation and 2.0 mM [Ca²⁺]_o, while developed force and [Ca²⁺]_i transients showed no changes at 0.5 Hz stimulation and 0.7 mM [Ca²⁺]_o. In the presence of 1 μM KN-93, a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseII (CaMKII) inhibitor, or 50 μM diazo-5-oxonorleucine, a L-glutamine-D-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase inhibitor, the reduction of contractile properties after elevation of glucose was suppressed. Furthermore, 1 h after elevation of glucose to 400 mg/dL at 2.0 mM [Ca²⁺]_o, the ratio of P-TnI to TnI was increased. These results suggest that in non-diabetic hearts under higher Ca²⁺-load, transient elevation of glucose for 1 h reduces contractile properties probably by activating CaMKII through O-GlcNAcylation. Thus, in the patients with severe disease, transient elevation of blood glucose, such as due to stress, may worsen cardiac function and thereby affect their mortality without known diabetes.

A Longitudinal Study of Lumbar Sagittal Change in Middle-Aged Healthy Volunteers

INTRODUCTION

Recent research has shown that spinal sagittal alignment plays a critical role in health-related quality of life. However, most of these studies were cross-sectional in nature, and longitudinal studies of lumbar lordosis (LL) in healthy subjects were few. This study aims to evaluate the change in lumbar sagittal parameters during a 10-year period.

METHODS

The study population included 45 individuals (mean age, 65.7 years; male, n=20; female, n=25) who underwent sagittal lumbar radiography and a basic health checkup during a 10-year period. The radiologic parameters were LL, disc angle, sacral slope angle (SS), and pelvic incidence (PI). The change of LL during the 10-year period was defined as ΔLL. The subjects were divided into the LL maintenance group (n=33) and the LL non-maintenance group (n=12) based on their LL values.

RESULTS

The radiologic baseline/final parameters were as follows: LL, 45/34 degrees (P<0.001); L1/L2 disc angle, 4.5/2.5 degrees; L2/L3 disc angle, 5.5/2.7 degrees; L3/L4 disc angle, 6.2/4.2 degrees; L4/L5 disc angle, 8.1/5.1 degrees; L5/S disc angle, 14.2/12.2 degrees; and SS, 32.0/32.1 degrees. The mean PI (50.5 degrees) was tended to be associated with the final LL (R=0.31, P=0.044) and was correlated with the ΔLL (R=0.43, P<0.01). The data of the LL maintenance/non-maintenance groups were as follows: age, 65.0/67.0; primary LL, 43.2/50.2 degrees (P<0.05); final LL, 36.2/27.8 degrees (P<0.05); and PI, 52.8/43.8 degrees (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

During the 10-year study period, the LL in middle-aged and elderly volunteers decreased by 11 degrees. The factor of maintenance of LL was PI.

Two-Hour Post-Load Plasma Glucose, a Biomarker to Improve the GRACE Score in Patients without Known Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To assess improvement in predictive performance of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score (GRS) by addition of a glucose matrix.

METHODS

1,056 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) survivors without known diabetes had pre-discharge fasting (FPG) and 2-h post-load plasma glucose (2h-PG) measured. GRS was calculated. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE; death and non-fatal myocardial infarction) were recorded during follow-up. Cox proportional hazard regression predicted event-free survival. Likelihood ratio test, Akaike's information criteria, continuous net reclassification index (NRI>0), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to test the additional prognostic value of glycaemic indices over GRS.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 36.5 months, 211 MACEs (20.0%), 96 deaths (9.1%), and 115 non-fatal re-infarctions (10.9%), occurred. 2h-PG, but not FPG, independently predicted MACE-free survival at all time points (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13, p = 0.002, at 3 years). Risk of MACE increased by 8-11% with every 1 mmol/L rise in 2h-PG. 2h-PG significantly improved the prognostic models containing GRS. Models containing GRS and 2h-PG yielded lowest corrected Akaike's information criteria compared to that with only GRS. 2h-PG, but not FPG, improved NRI>0 (NRI>0 0.169, p = 0.028 at 3 years) and IDI (IDI of 0.66%, p = 0.018 at 3 years) significantly at all time points during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

2h-PG, but not FPG, improves performance of GRS-containing models in predicting post-ACS prognosis in the short to medium term.

Differences in Clinical Outcomes between Patients with and without Hypoglycemia during Hospitalization: A Retrospective Study Using Real-World Evidence

BACKGROUND

Some patients admitted to hospitals for glycemic control experience hypoglycemia despite regular meals and despite adhering to standard blood glucose control protocols. Different factors can have a negative impact on blood glucose control and prognosis after discharge. This study investigated risk factors for hypoglycemia and its effects on glycemic control during the hospitalization of patients in the general ward.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who were admitted between 2009 and 2018. Patients were provided regular meals at fixed times according to ideal body weights during hospitalization. We categorized the patients into two groups: those with and those without hypoglycemia during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Of the 3,031 patients, 379 experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia during hospitalization (HYPO group). Hypoglycemia occurred more frequently particularly in cases of premixed insulin therapy. Compared with the control group, the HYPO group was older (61.0±16.8 years vs. 59.1±16.5 years, P=0.035), with more females (60.4% vs. 49.6%, P<0.001), lower body mass index (BMI) (23.5±4.2 kg/m² vs. 25.1±4.4 kg/m², P<0.001), and higher prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (6.1% vs. 2.6%, P<0.001), They had longer hospital stay (11.1±13.5 days vs. 7.6±4.6 days, P<0.001). After discharge the HYPO group had lower glycosylated hemoglobin reduction rate (-2.0%±0.2% vs. -2.5%±0.1%, P=0.003) and tended to have more frequent cases of cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

Hypoglycemia occurred more frequently in older female patients with lower BMI and was associated with longer hospital stay and poorer glycemic control after discharge. Therefore, clinicians must carefully ensure that patients do not experience hypoglycemia during hospitalization.

Transient Elevation of Glucose Increases Arrhythmia Susceptibility in Non-Diabetic Rat Trabeculae With Non-Uniform Contraction

BACKGROUND

In non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome, stress hyperglycemia occasionally occurs and is related to their mortality. Whether transient elevation of glucose affects arrhythmia susceptibility in non-diabetic hearts with non-uniform contraction was examined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Force, intracellular Ca2+([Ca2+]i), and membrane potential were measured in trabeculae from rat hearts. Non-uniform contraction was produced by a jet of paralyzing solution. Ca2+waves and arrhythmias were induced by electrical stimulation (2.0 mmol/L [Ca2+]o). The activity of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseII (CaMKII) was measured. An elevation of glucose from 150 to 400 mg/dL increased the velocity of Ca2+waves and the number of spontaneous action potentials triggered by electrical stimulation. Besides, the elevation of glucose increased the CaMKII activity. In the presence of 1 μmol/L KN-93, the elevation of glucose did not increase the velocity of Ca2+waves and the number of triggered action potentials. In addition, in the presence of 1 μmol/L autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide or 50 μmol/L diazo-5-oxonorleucine, the elevation of glucose did not increase the number of triggered action potentials. Furthermore, the elevation of glucose by adding L-glucose did not increase their number.

CONCLUSIONS

In non-diabetic hearts with non-uniform contraction, transient elevation of glucose increases the velocity of Ca2+waves by activating CaMKII,probably through glycosylation with O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine, thereby increasing arrhythmia susceptibility.

Diabetes Mellitus and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Impact on Short and Long-Term Mortality

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and a frequent co-morbidity in patients hospitalized with AMI, being present in about 30% of cases. Although current treatment of AMI has considerably improved survival in both patients with and without DM, the presence of DM still doubles the case fatality rate during both the acute phase of AMI and at long-term follow-up. This higher mortality risk of DM patients strongly indicates a particular need for better treatment options in these patients and suggests that intensive medical treatment, prolonged surveillance, and stringent control of other risk factors should be carefully pursued and maintained for as long as possible in them.In this review, we will focus on the close association between DM and in-hospital and long-term mortality in AMI patients. We will also aim at providing current evidence on the mechanisms underlying this association and on emerging therapeutic strategies, which may reduce the traditional mortality gap that still differentiates AMI patients with DM from those without.

Adjustment of the GRACE score by 2-hour post-load glucose improves prediction of long-term major adverse cardiac events in acute coronary syndrome in patients without known diabetes

Aims

Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score (GRS), a powerful predictor of prognosis after acute coronary event (ACE), does not include a glucometabolic measure. We investigate whether 2 h post-load plasma glucose (2h-PG) could improve GRS based prognostic models in ACE patients without known diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort study of 1056 ACE survivors without known DM who had fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2h-PG measured pre-discharge. Death and non-fatal myocardial infarction were recorded as major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up. GRS for discharge to 6 months was calculated. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to identify predictors of event free survival. The predictive value of 2h-PG alone and combined with GRS was estimated using likelihood ratio test, Akaike's information criteria, continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI>0), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). During 40.8 months follow-up 235 MACEs (22.3%) occurred, more frequently in the upper 2h-PG quartiles. Two-hour PG, but not FPG, adjusted for GRS independently predicted MACE (hazard ratio 1.091, 95% confidence interval 1.043-1.142; P = 0.0002). likelihood ratio test showed that 2h-PG significantly improved the prognostic models including GRS (χ2 = 20.56, 1 df; P = 0.000). Models containing GRS and 2h-PG yielded lowest corrected Akaike's information criteria, compared to that with only GRS. 2h-PG, when added to GRS, improved net reclassification significantly (NRIe>0 6.4%, NRIne>0 24%, NRI>0 0.176; P = 0.017 at final follow-up). Two-hour PG, improved integrated discrimination of models containing GRS (IDI of 0.87%, P = 0.008 at final follow-up).

Conclusion

Two-hour PG, but not FPG, is an independent predictor of adverse outcome after ACE even after adjusting for the GRS. Two-hour PG, but not FPG, improves the predictability of prognostic models containing GRS.

Development and Implementation of a Subcutaneous Insulin Clinical Decision Support Tool for Hospitalized Patients

BACKGROUND

Insulin is one of the highest risk medications used in hospitalized patients. Multiple complex factors must be considered in determining a safe and effective insulin regimen. We sought to develop a computerized clinical decision support (CDS) tool to assist hospital-based clinicians in insulin management.

METHODS

Adapting existing clinical practice guidelines for inpatient glucose management, a design team selected, configured, and implemented a CDS tool to guide subcutaneous insulin dosing in non-critically ill hospitalized patients at two academic medical centers that use the EpicCare® electronic medical record (EMR). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) best practices in CDS design and implementation were followed.

RESULTS

A CDS tool was developed in the form of an EpicCare SmartForm, which generates an insulin regimen by integrating information about the patient's body weight, diabetes type, home and hospital insulin requirements, and nutritional status. Total daily recommended insulin doses are distributed into respective basal and nutritional doses with a tailored correctional insulin scale. Preimplementation, several approaches were used to communicate this new tool to clinicians, including emails, lectures, and videos. Postimplementation, a support team was available to address user technical issues. Feedback from stakeholders has been used to continuously refine the tool. Inclusion of the programming in the EMR vendor's community library has allowed dissemination of the tool outside our institution.

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed an EMR-based tool to guide SQ insulin dosing in non-critically ill hospitalized patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate adoption and clinical effectiveness of this intervention.

Association of Admission Blood Glucose Level with Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome; a Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate management of abnormal admission blood glucose level (ABGL) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients still remains a common issue. This study aims to assess the influence of ABGL on development of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with suspected ACS.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study based on analysis of data collected from patients suspected to acute coronary syndrome admitted to emergency department. ABGL of patients was measured and its association with development of MACEs (MI, CVA, mortality) within 30 days of follow-up was studied.

RESULTS

814 participants with the mean age of 61.8 ± 13.4 years were studied (58.1% male). MACE endpoints were developed in 166 (39.0%) hyperglycemic, 30 (46.9%) hypoglycemic, and 53 (16.4%) normoglycemic patients (p<0.001). Mean admission blood glucose level of patients who developed MACE within 30 days was significantly higher than others (210.6 ± 123.4 vs 157.4 ± 86.6mg/dL; p<0.001; OR: 1.006 (1.005 to 1.008)). There was a significant correlation between male gender (p=0.027), abnormal admission blood glucose level (p<0.001), diabetes (p = 0.001), hyoerlipidemia (p=0.059), prior CABG (p=0.008), first and second blood troponin levels (p<0.001), first and second abnormal ECGs (p<0.001), and also ECG changes (p<0.001) with developing MACE. Abnormal ABGL, first and second blood troponin levels, and the history of diabetes were among independent risk factors of developing MACE within 30 days.

CONCLUSION

It seems that abnormal admission blood glucose level in suspected ACS patients was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events within 30 days.

Acute Kidney Injury in Diabetic Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: Role of Acute and Chronic Glycemia

Background

In acute myocardial infarction, acute hyperglycemia is a predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly in patients without diabetes mellitus. This emphasizes the importance of an acute glycemic rise rather than glycemia level at admission. We investigated whether, in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction, the combined evaluation of acute and chronic glycemic levels may have better prognostic value for AKI than admission glycemia.

Methods and Results

At admission, we prospectively measured glycemia and estimated average chronic glucose levels (mg/dL) using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), according to the following formula: 28.7×HbA_1c (%)−46.7. We evaluated the association with AKI of the acute/chronic glycemic ratio and of the difference between acute and chronic glycemia (Δ_A−C). We enrolled 474 diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction. Of them, 77 (16%) experienced AKI. The incidence of AKI increased in parallel with the acute/chronic glycemic ratio (12%, 14%, 22%; P=0.02 for trend) and Δ_A−C (13%, 13%, 23%; P=0.01) but not with admission glycemic tertiles (P=0.22). At receiver operating characteristic analysis, the acute/chronic glycemic ratio (area under the curve: 0.62 [95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.69]; P=0.001) and Δ_A−C (area under the curve: 0.62 [95% confidence interval, 0.54–0.69]; P=0.002) accurately predicted AKI, without difference in the area under the curve between them (P=0.53). At reclassification analysis, the addition of the acute/chronic glycemic ratio and Δ_A−C to acute glycemia allowed proper AKI risk prediction in 16% of patients.

Conclusions

In diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction, AKI is better predicted by the combined evaluation of acute and chronic glycemic values than by assessment of admission glycemia alone.

Hyperglycemia in Acute Coronary Syndromes: From Mechanisms to Prognostic Implications

Numerous studies have documented that hyperglycemia is frequent in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes, affects patients with and without established diabetes, and is associated with adverse outcomes, with incremental increase in risk of mortality and complications observed across the spectrum of glucose elevations. This article reviews present knowledge about the association between glucose levels and outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes; describes available data regarding inpatient glucose management in this patient group, and comparative data across the spectrum of critically ill hospitalized patients; addresses some controversies in this field; and offers practical recommendations for patient management based on existing data.

Can we use plasma hyperosmolality as a predictor of mortality for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of plasma osmolality with all-cause mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

This study included 3748 patients (mean age 58.3±11.8 years, men 81%) with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The following formula was used to measure the plasma osmolality at admission: osmolality=1.86×sodium (mmol/l)+glucose (mg/dl)/18+BUN (mg/dl)/2.8+9.

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for a mean period of 22±10 months. Patients with higher plasma osmolality had 3.7 times higher in-hospital (95% confidence interval: 2.7-5.1) and 3.2 times higher long-term (95% confidence interval: 2.5-4.1) all-cause mortality rates than patients with lower plasma osmolality.

CONCLUSION

Plasma osmolality was found to be a predictor of both in-hospital and long-term all-cause mortality. Hence, plasma osmolality can be used to detect high-risk patients in STEMI.

Improving drug-like properties of insulin and GLP-1 via molecule design and formulation and improving diabetes management with device & drug delivery

There is an increased incidence of diabetes worldwide. The discovery of insulin revolutionized the management of diabetes, the revelation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists to clinical practice was another breakthrough. Continued translational research resulted in better understanding of diabetes, which, in combination with cutting-edge biology, chemistry, and pharmaceutical tools, have allowed for the development of safer, more effective and convenient insulins and GLP-1. Advances in self-administration of insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies with use of drug-device combination products have further improved the outcomes of diabetes management and quality of life for diabetic patients. The synergies of insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonist actions have led to development of devices that can deliver both molecules simultaneously. New chimeric GLP-1-incretins and insulin-GLP-1-incretin molecules are also being developed. The objective of this review is to summarize molecular designs to improve the drug-like properties of insulin and GLP-1 and to highlight the continued advancement of drug-device combination products to improve diabetes management.

Hyperglycaemia and mortality

Several studies over the last decade have linked hyperglycaemia on hospital admission with subsequent mortality risk. The evidence is strongest for patients with myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndromes, but evidence also links hyperglycaemia with mortality from stroke and other medical illnesses. The effect seems independent of a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; indeed, some studies suggest that mortality may be higher in patients with hyperglycaemia and no previous diabetes diagnosis compared with known diabetic patients. The effect on outcome of therapeutically lowering blood glucose levels has been considered in a small number of studies, but so far the results are conflicting. Further work is needed, focusing on more standardized surveys—previous studies vary in their use of blood or plasma, as well as cut-off levels for hyperglycaemia—and larger intervention studies.

Acute Insulin Resistance in Myocardial Ischemia: Causes and Consequences

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular mortality because of multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms. Acute stress-induced hyper-glycemia during acute myocardial infarction has gained much attention, as blood glucose levels seem to be an independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction–related death. Clinical studies that identify stress-induced hyperglycemia as a risk factor are reviewed and its causes are discussed. They can be summarized as the consequence of acute insulin resistance, which in its turn is caused by stress hormones and by proinflammatory cytokines. Hyperglycemia causes the release of proinflammatory cytokines, the induction of reactive radicals, alterations in cardiovascular substrate metabolism, and propagation of coagulation and apoptosis. These all have harmful effects during and after acute myocardial infarction. Recommendations are for strict glycemic control in hyperglycemic patients with acute myocar-dial infarction, although the target glucose level is still a subject of debate.

Hyperglycemia and Outcome After Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Surgery: So What?

Hyperglycemia is a frequent observation during acute illness such as myocardial infarction and after major surgery. The proportion of patients with hyperglycemia may be as high as 95% to 100% after cardiac surgery. This stress-induced hyperglycemia has a detrimental effect on outcome after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. Mortality may increase by a factor of 4, especially in non-diabetic patients. Control of hyperglycemia to normalize blood glucose is associated with a clear clinical benefit. This effect is most beneficial in nondiabetic patients with hyperglycemia. The exact target level of glycemia is still a matter of investigation, but normalization to values between 80 and 125 mg/dL is probably optimal.

Association of Hyperglycemia with In-Hospital Mortality and Morbidity in Libyan Patients with Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndromes

OBJECTIVE

Hyperglycemia on admission and during hospital stay is a well-established predictor of short-term and long-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Our study investigated the impact of blood glucose levels on admission and in-hospital hyperglycemia on the morbidity and mortality of Libyan patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes (acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the records of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome to The 7th Of October Hospital, Benghazi, Libya, between January 2011 and December 2011 were reviewed. The level of blood glucose on admission, and the average blood glucose during the hospital stay were recorded to determine their effects on in-hospital complications (e.g. cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, arrhythmias, and/or heart block) and mortality.

RESULTS

During the study period, 121 patients with diabetes were admitted with acute coronary syndrome. The mortality rate in patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome was 12.4%. Patients with a mean glucose level greater than 200mg/dL had a higher in-hospital mortality and a higher rate of complications than those with a mean glucose level ≤200mg/dL (27.5% vs. 2.6%, p<0.001 and 19.7% vs. 45.5%, p=0.004, respectively). There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with a glucose level at admission ≤140mg/dL and those admitted with a glucose level >140mg/dL (6.9% vs. 14.3%; p=0.295), but the rate of complications was higher in the latter group (13.8% vs. 34.1%; p=0.036). Patients with admission glucose levels >140mg/dL also had a higher rate of complications at presentation (26.4% vs. 6.9%; p=0.027).

CONCLUSION

In patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome, hyperglycemia during hospitalization predicted a worse outcome in terms of the rates of in-hospital complications and in-hospital mortality. Hyperglycemia at the time of admission was also associated with higher rate of complications particularly at the time of presentation.

Hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndromes: from mechanisms to prognostic implications

Hyperglycemia is a frequent condition in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Hyperglycemia during ACS is caused by an inflammatory and adrenergic response to ischemic stress, when catecholamines are released and glycogenolysis induced. Although the involved pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, it is believed that hyperglycemia is associated with an increase in free fat acids (which induce cardiac arrhythmias), insulin resistance, chemical inactivation of nitric oxide and the production of oxygen reactive species (with consequent microvascular and endothelial dysfunction), a prothrombotic state, and vascular inflammation. It is also related to myocardial metabolic disorders, leading to thrombosis, extension of the damaged area, reduced collateral circulation, and ischemic preconditioning. In the last few years, several observational studies demonstrated that hyperglycemia in ACS is a powerful predictor of survival, increasing the risk of immediate and long-term complications in patients both with and without previously known diabetes mellitus. Glucose management strategies in ACS may improve outcomes in patients with hyperglycemia, perhaps by reducing inflammatory and clotting mediators, by improving endothelial function and fibrinolysis and by reducing infarct size. Recent clinical trials of insulin in ACS have resulted in varying levels of benefit, but the clinical benefit of an aggressive treatment with insulin is yet unproved.

Admission blood glucose helps predict 1 year, but not 2 years, mortality in an unselected cohort of acute general medical admissions

AIM

We previously showed that hyperglycaemia in newly hospitalised medical inpatients is associated with longer length of hospital stay, higher 28-day readmission rates and increased 28-day mortality. We aimed to assess whether a single blood glucose measurement taken at the time of admission could help to predict 1 and 2 years mortality.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data from all 1502 patients admitted to our Acute Medical Unit during February 2010.

RESULTS

By using a blood glucose range of 6.5-7.0 mmol/l as the comparator, an admission blood glucose between 9.1 and 20 mmol/l was associated with an increased risk of death at 1 year (p < 0.05). In addition, those people with admission glucose readings of < 6.5 mmol/l showed a strong trend towards a higher mortality (p = 0.053) at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Thus admission blood glucose can be used to help predict the risk of 1 year mortality in an unselected cohort of general medical admissions.

Cardiac damage associated with stress hyperglycaemia and acute coronary syndrome changes according to level of presenting blood glucose

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of stress hyperglycaemia in people presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and the relationships between admission glucose and cardiac damage, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

In a prospective observational study people presenting with ACS at the Gold Coast Hospital had their admission glucose (AG) level tested to determine stress hyperglycaemia. A range of measurements supplemented this data including troponin levels, category of ACS and major adverse coronary events (MACEs) were obtained through hospital records and patient follow-up post-discharge.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-eight participants were recruited. The prevalence of stress hyperglycaemia in ACS was 44% with 31% having a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and 7.7% had undiagnosed diabetes. The stress hyperglycaemic group had a significantly higher median troponin levels compared to participants with normal blood glucose levels on admission (p<0.05) however the highest presenting glucose group (>15 mmol/L) had troponin levels similar to people presenting with normal blood glucose levels and ACS (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac necrosis as measured by troponin levels is significantly increased in people with ACS and stress hyperglycaemia. This study found that one in four participants presenting with ACS and an admission glucose of >7.0 had no previous diagnosis for diabetes.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Consistently ordering HbA1C testing on patients with high AG can enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

Admission hyperglycemia is associated with failed reperfusion following fibrinolytic therapy in patients with STEMI: results of a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia on admission is associated with increased mortality rates in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who are treated with either fibrinolytic therapy (FT) or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, data regarding the relationship between hyperglycemia and the success of FT are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of admission blood glucose for the prediction of failed reperfusion following FT.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a retrospective study of 304 STEMI patients who received FT and whose admission glucose levels were recorded. The main outcome measure was ST segment resolution≥50%. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) blood glucose level in the entire study group was 112 (95-153). In 92 (30.2%) patients, FT was unsuccessful and rescue PCI was performed. Admission glucose (126 [99-192] vs. 110 [94-144] mg/dL, p<0.001), time from symptom onset to FT (180 [120-270] vs. 150 [120-180] min, p=0.009), and maximum ST elevation amplitude (3 [2-7] vs. 3 [2-6] mm, p=0.05) were higher in the failed reperfusion group than in the reperfusion group. Admission hyperglycemia was an independent predictive factor for failed reperfusion (hazard ratio 4.79 [1.80-12.76], p=0.002), along with time from symptom onset to fibrinolysis and anterior wall myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with STEMI who undergo FT, admission hyperglycemia is an independent predictor of the failure of fibrinolysis.

Blood glucose management in the patient undergoing cardiac surgery: A review

Both diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia per se are associated with negative outcomes after cardiac surgery. In this article, we review these associations, the possible mechanisms that lead to adverse outcomes, and the epidemiology of diabetes focusing on those patients requiring cardiac surgery. We also examine outpatient and perioperative management of diabetes with the same focus. Finally, we discuss our own efforts to improve glycemic management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution, including keys to success, results of implementation, and patient safety concerns.

The effects of intravenous insulin infusions on early mortality for patients with acute coronary syndromes who present with hyperglycaemia: A matched propensity analysis using data from the MINAP database 2008-2012

BACKGROUND

In acute coronary syndrome, the use of intravenous insulin infusions (IVII) to control hyperglycaemia is based on limited evidence of survival benefit.

AIMS

To compare 7 day survival for patients receiving IVII compared with those receiving routine care to control admission hyperglycaemia (>=11 mmol/l) in acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used matched propensity analysis to examine observational data from the MINAP database between 2008 and 2012. We matched 5974 pairs of patients. We separately examined outcomes for ST elevation (STEMI) and non ST segment elevation (NSTEMI) infarctions, and those without known diabetes and those with type 2 diabetes. Survival benefit from the use of IVII was seen only in patients with STEMI not known to have diabetes at admission (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-0.92), p=0.005). Those with STEMI and existing type 2 diabetes who received IVII showed similar outcomes to routine care (HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.80-1.23), p=0.931). In patients with NSTEMI IVII was associated with significantly worse adjusted 7 day survival outcome than routine care, regardless of diabetes status; for those without known diabetes, HR 1.50 (95% CI 1.04-2.16), p=0.029, and for those with type 2 diabetes, HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.08-1.70), p=0.010.

CONCLUSION

As used in current clinical practice to treat hyperglycaemia in acute coronary syndromes, IVII appears to be of benefit only for patients with STEMI who are not known to have diabetes. IVII is associated with adverse early outcomes in patients with NSTEMI.

Impact of acute hyperglycemia on myocardial infarct size, area at risk, and salvage in patients with STEMI and the association with exenatide treatment: results from a randomized study

Hyperglycemia upon hospital admission in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) occurs frequently and is associated with adverse outcomes. It is, however, unsettled as to whether an elevated blood glucose level is the cause or consequence of increased myocardial damage. In addition, whether the cardioprotective effect of exenatide, a glucose-lowering drug, is dependent on hyperglycemia remains unknown. The objectives of this substudy were to evaluate the association between hyperglycemia and infarct size, myocardial salvage, and area at risk, and to assess the interaction between exenatide and hyperglycemia. A total of 210 STEMI patients were randomized to receive intravenous exenatide or placebo before percutaneous coronary intervention. Hyperglycemia was associated with larger area at risk and infarct size compared with patients with normoglycemia, but the salvage index and infarct size adjusting for area at risk did not differ between the groups. Treatment with exenatide resulted in increased salvage index both among patients with normoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Thus, we conclude that the association between hyperglycemia upon hospital admission and infarct size in STEMI patients is a consequence of a larger myocardial area at risk but not of a reduction in myocardial salvage. Also, cardioprotection by exenatide treatment is independent of glucose levels at hospital admission. Thus, hyperglycemia does not influence the effect of the reperfusion treatment but rather represents a surrogate marker for the severity of risk and injury to the myocardium.

Glycemic variability and outcome in critically ill

Background:

Acute hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and glycemic variability (GV) have been found to be the three principal domains of glycemic control, which can adversely affect patient outcome. GV may be the confounding factor in tight glycemic control trials in surgical and medical patient.

Objective:

This study was conducted to establish if there was any relationship between GV and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in the Indian context.

Study Design:

A retrospective review of a large cohort of prospectively collected database.

Setting:

Adult Medical/Surgical/Trauma/Neuro ICU of a tertiary care hospital.

Patient Population:

All patients who had four or more blood glucose measured during the ICU stay.

Outcome:

ICU mortality.

Result:

2208 patients with a total of 11,335 blood glucose values were analyzed. GV measured by the standard deviation (SD) of mean blood glucose and glycemic lability index (GLI), both were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with ICU mortality. This relationship was maintained (odds ratio (OR): 2.023, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.483-2.758) even after excluding patients with hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dl). Patients with blood glucose values in the euglycemic range but highest SD had higher mortality (54%) compared to mortality (24%) in patients above the euglycemic range. Similarly patients with blood sugar values below the average for study cohort and high GLI, another marker of GV had higher mortality (OR: 5.62, CI: 3.865-8.198) than compared to patients in the hyperglycemic range, reflecting the importance of GV as a prognostic marker in patients with blood sugar in the euglycemic range.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that high glucose variability is associated with increased ICU mortality in a large heterogeneous cohort of ICU patients. This effect was particularly evident among patients in the euglycemic range.

Ultra-acute increase in blood glucose during prehospital phase is associated with worse short-term and long-term survival in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The current study was to investigate the blood glucose changes in ultra-acute phase in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its associations with patient outcome.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective population-based observational study utilizing prospectively collected registry data complemented with laboratory data. All adult patients with STEMI treated by emergency medical services (EMS) in the city of Helsinki from January 2006 to December 2010 were included in the study. Both prehospital and hospital admission glucose values were available from 152 (32%) of all STEMI patients (n = 469).

RESULTS

Change in blood glucose from prehospital phase to emergency department admission was significantly higher in non-survivors within 30 days compared to survivors (+1.2 ± 5.1 vs. -0.3 ± 2.4 mmol/l [mean ± SD], P = 0.03). Furthermore, the 3-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients with an evident (≥2 mmol/l) rise in blood glucose (P = 0.02). In patients with impaired left ventricle function (best ejection fraction < 40%), blood glucose increased more compared to patients without it (1.2 ± 2.9 vs. 0.4 ± 2.7 mmol/l, P = 0.01). Increase in glucose was correlated with peak myocardial creatinine kinase (r = 0.17, P = 0.04) as a marker of increased size of infarct, but not with glycosylated haemoglobin A1C as a marker of chronic hyperglycaemia (r = -0.12, P = 0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with STEMI, ultra-acute hyperglycaemia during prehospital phase is associated with increased mortality, impaired cardiac function and increased size of infarct.

Hemoglobin A1c is a better predictor of prognosis following the non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome than fasting and admission glucose

BACKGROUND

Glucometabolic status is an important predictor of prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Both plasma glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were implicated as predictors of prognosis. However, previous data yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the prognostic role of plasma glucose levels and HbA1c in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).

METHODS

A total of 106 consecutive patients with NSTEACS (55 with unstable angina and 51 with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) were included. The average age was 66.1 years; 61% were male. HbA1c was measured at admission, along with other standard laboratory values. The follow-up period lasted for a year. The main combined outcome variable included death from cardiovascular causes and rehospitalization due to another acute coronary syndrome or due to heart failure.

RESULTS

Combined end point occurred in 43 (41%) patients. Mean HbA1c value was significantly higher in the group of patients who had complications (7.6 ± 2.6 vs. 5.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). Logistic regression identified HbA1c [odds ratio (OR): 1.6] and male sex (OR: 0.25) as the only independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 2.7 times higher risk of MACE in patients with HbA1c > 6.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from our study indicate that the admission level of HbA1c, but not admission or fasting glucose, is a predictor of mortality and major adverse events in patients with NSTEACS. These results identify HbA1c to be an independent predictor also in patients with NSTEACS, and not only in those with ST elevation myocardial infarction as observed before our study.

Acute-phase glucose fluctuation is negatively correlated with myocardial salvage after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether glycemic fluctuation immediately after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can affect myocardial damage. This study investigated the impact of glucose fluctuation on myocardial salvage following successful recanalization of primary AMI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 36 consecutive patients with AMI were studied. Glycemic variability, as indicated by the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), was measured on a continuous glucose monitoring system. Three subsets (CD14(+)CD16(-), CD14(++)CD16(+) and CD14(+-)CD16(+)) were measured on flow cytometry 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days after AMI onset. A 2-h oral glucose test was performed in 23 patients who had no previous diagnosis of diabetes and/or glycated hemoglobin <6.5%, after the onset of AMI at 2 weeks. Plasma active glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 level was measured in each sample. The extent of myocardial salvage 7 days after AMI was evaluated on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. MAGE and the peak CD14(+)CD16(-) monocyte level were significantly negatively correlated with myocardial salvage index (MSI). MAGE was significantly correlated with peak CD14(+)CD16(-) monocyte level. Of interest, plasma GLP-1 level was significantly positively correlated with MSI and significantly negatively correlated with MAGE.

CONCLUSIONS

Glucose fluctuations during the acute phase of AMI affect MSI, indicating that manipulation of glucose variability from peak to nadir might be a potential therapeutic target for salvaging ischemic damage.

Association of dysglycemia and all-cause mortality across the spectrum of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and all-cause mortality across the spectrum of coronary artery disease (CAD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 18,999 patients during a study period of April 1, 2004, through October 31, 2010. The primary end points were in-hospital and follow-up all-cause mortality. According to the quartiles of FPG levels, patients were categorized into 4 groups: quartile 1, less than 5.1 mmol/L; quartile 2, 5.1 to less than 5.9 mmol/L; quartile 3, 5.9 to less than 7.5 mmol/L; and quartile 4, 7.5 mmol/L or greater. The conversion factor for units of plasma glucose is 1.00 mmol/L equals 18 mg/dL. Presented as mg/dL, the 4 quartile ranges of plasma glucose concentrations used in our data analysis are ≤90.0 mg/dL, 90.1-106.0 mg/dL, 106.1 mg/dL-135.0 mg/dL and ≥135.1 mg/dL. Quartile 1 was recognized as the lower glycemic group, quartiles 2 and 3 as the normoglycemic groups, and quartile 4 as the higher glycemic group.

RESULTS

In patients with acute myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality for the dysglycemic groups was higher than for the normoglycemic groups: in-hospital mortality for quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.2%, and 1.5%, respectively (P=.001); follow-up mortality for quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 1.7%, 0.9%, 0.3%, and 1.8%, respectively (P<.001). In patients with stable CAD, no significant differences in mortality were found among groups. However, in patients with unstable angina pectoris, the normoglycemic groups had lower follow-up mortality and roughly equal in-hospital mortality compared with the dysglycemic groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, this observation persisted.

CONCLUSION

The association between lower FPG level and mortality differed across the spectrum of CAD. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, there was a U-shaped relationship. In patients with stable CAD or unstable angina pectoris, mildly to moderately decreasing FPG level was associated with neither higher nor lower all-cause mortality.

Glycemic Control during Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Hyperglycemia, which occurs in the perioperative period during cardiac surgery, has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The management of perioperative hyperglycemia during coronary artery bypass graft surgery and all cardiac surgical procedures has been the focus of intensive study in recent years. This report will paper the pathophysiology responsible for the detrimental effects of perioperative hyperglycemia during cardiac surgery, show how continuous insulin infusions in the perioperative period have improved outcomes, and discuss the results of trials designed to determine what level of a glycemic control is necessary to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Prognostic impact of hyperglycemia in nondiabetic and diabetic patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: insights from contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia on admission is associated with increased mortality rates in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, data regarding the relationship between hyperglycemia and myocardial damage in STEMI are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of diabetes mellitus status and hyperglycemia on myocardial damage assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and to evaluate the long-term prognostic significance of hyperglycemia in a high-risk STEMI population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Glucose levels were determined on admission in 411 consecutive STEMI patients reperfused by primary angioplasty. Patients were categorized on the basis of diabetes mellitus status and admission glucose level. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed for assessment of infarct size and microvascular obstruction. The primary clinical end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events at long-term follow-up. STEMI patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus were at greater risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (32% versus 11%; P<0.001) despite having similar infarct sizes and extent of reperfusion injury than nondiabetic patients. Glycemic status on admission was associated with greater myocardial damage and an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (P<0.001). In nondiabetic patients, the risk of severe myocardial injury started to rise once admission glucose exceeded 7.8 mmol/L, whereas the threshold was higher among patients with diabetes mellitus (≥11.1 mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

The higher mortality rate in diabetic versus nondiabetic STEMI patients is not explained by more pronounced myocardial damage. Hyperglycemia on admission is associated with greater myocardial injury and an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events at long-term follow-up. However, hyperglycemia has a stronger relationship to myocardial injury in nondiabetic compared with diabetic patients.

The prognostic role of in-hospital peak glycemia in stemi patients with and without diabetes

Due to the lack of appropriately designed randomized trials, the definitive answer in regard to the prognostic role of in-hospital glucose values in patients with AMI is lacking. We prospectively assessed the prognostic role of in-hospital peak glycemia (≤1.40, 141-180 and >180 g/l) in 611 consecutive STEMI patients (diabetic and without previously known diabetes) submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention. One hundred and fifteen (18.8%) were diabetic and the remaining 496 (81.2%) without previously known diabetes. At multivariable logistic regression analysis, peak glycemia was an independent predictor for in-ICCU death in the overall population and in patients without previously known diabetes. At follow-up, in the overall population (as well as in diabetic and non-diabetic patients), patients with peak glycemia >1.8 g/l showed the lowest survival rate, those with peak glycemia <1.4 g/l the highest and patients with peak glycemia >1.4 and <1.8 g/l intermediate survival rates. In-hospital peak glycemia is an independent predictor for early death in patients without previously known diabetes, but not in diabetic STEMI patients. At follow-up, in-hospital peak glycemia is able to affect long-term survival in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Our data underscore strongly suggest that different glucose targets and thresholds may be pursued in diabetic and non-diabetic STEMI patients.

Duration of time on intensive insulin therapy predicts severe hypoglycemia in the surgically critically ill population

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia has emerged as a barrier to the practice of intensive insulin therapy. Current literature suggests that hypoglycemia occurs at variable rates and has different effects on outcomes in surgical and medical populations. We sought to determine the incidence, independent predictors, and effect on outcome of severe hypoglycemia (≤ 40 mg/dl) in a surgical population.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on all critically ill surgical patients treated with IIT from October 2004 to February 2007. Euglycemia (goal 80-110 mg/dl) was maintained using automated computerized titration of an insulin infusion. The primary outcome of interest was any episode of severe hypoglycemia (≤ 40 mg/dl). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of developing severe hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

A total of 60,298 data entries (1,118 patients) for glucose were analyzed. There were 64 severe hypoglycemic episodes in 52 patients (4.6% of the patients). There was a significant increase in deaths among patients who experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia when compared with those who did not (26.9% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.03). Logistic regression revealed that the time spent on the protocol was the best predictor of developing a hypoglycemic event when controlling for other known risk factors of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive insulin therapy can be implemented with a low percentage of patients (4.6%) experiencing severe hypoglycemia. Mortality rate was higher for patients experiencing hypoglycemia. The duration of the time spent on the protocol was the best predictor of hypoglycemia, suggesting that hypoglycemia is a mathematic probability of prolonged illness, not a reflection of illness severity or demographic features.