Perioperative intensive insulin therapy using artificial endocrine pancreas in patients undergoing pancreatectomy

Usefulness of an interprofessional work manual for perioperative glucose control of an artificial pancreas

BACKGROUND

A closed-loop bedside-type artificial pancreas for perioperative glucose control has previously been introduced. However, artificial pancreas therapy was often interrupted due to continuous blood sampling failure. We developed an interprofessional work manual to reduce the interruption time of artificial pancreatic therapy for perioperative blood glucose control due to continuous blood sampling failure. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of this manual.

METHODS

The manual consisted of the following sections: (1) the roles of the professionals in the preparation and management of the artificial pancreas, (2) how to address continuous blood sampling failure, and (3) checkpoints for interprofessional transfer of the artificial pancreas. We compared the results before the introduction of the manual and 2 years after the introduction of the manual.

RESULTS

There were 35 and 37 patients in the Before and After groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient backgrounds between the two groups, although there was significantly less blood loss in the After group (1164 vs. 366 mL; p < 0.001). The mean artificial pancreas therapy and artificial pancreas therapy interruption times were 847 min and 20 min, respectively. Artificial pancreas therapy interruption time (34 vs. 8 min; p = 0.078) and time per interruption (24 vs. 4 min; p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the After group than in the Before group.

CONCLUSIONS

The interprofessional working manual was useful in reducing the artificial pancreatic therapy interruption time for perioperative glucose control.

Time course change of the insulin requirements during the perioperative period in hepatectomy and pancreatectomy by using an artificial pancreas STG-55

Introduction

To investigate changes in insulin requirements over time in patients who underwent hepatectomy and pancreatectomy with perioperative glycemic control by an artificial pancreas (STG-55).

Materials and methods

We included 56 patients (22 hepatectomies and 34 pancreatectomies) who were treated with an artificial pancreas in the perioperative period and investigated the differences in insulin requirements by organ and surgical procedure.

Results

The mean intraoperative blood glucose level and total insulin doses were higher in the hepatectomy group than in the pancreatectomy group. The dose of insulin infusion increased in hepatectomy, especially early in surgery, compared to pancreatectomy. In the hepatectomy group, there was a significant correlation between the total intraoperative insulin dose and Pringle time, and in all cases, there was a correlation with surgical time, bleeding volume, preoperative CPR, preoperative TDD, and weight.

Conclusions

Perioperative insulin requirements may be mainly dependent on the surgical procedure, invasiveness, and organ. Preoperative prediction of insulin requirements for each surgical procedure contributes to good perioperative glycemic control and improvement of postoperative outcomes.

Perioperative Drug Treatment in Pancreatic Surgery-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic resections for malignant or benign diseases are associated with major morbidity and changes in physiology. To reduce perioperative complications and enhance recovery, many types of perioperative medical management have been introduced. The aim of this study was to provide an evidence-based overview on the best perioperative drug treatment.

METHODS

The electronic bibliographic databases Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating perioperative drug treatments in pancreatic surgery. The investigated drugs were somatostatin analogues, steroids, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), prokinetic therapy, antidiabetic drugs, and proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Targeted outcomes in each drug category were meta-analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 49 RCT were included. The analysis of somatostatin analogues showed a significantly lower incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in the somatostatin group compared to the control group (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.74). The comparison of glucocorticoids versus placebo showed significantly less POPF in the glucocorticoid group (OR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.77). There was no significant difference in DGE when erythromycin was compared to placebo (OR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.08 to 1.30). The other investigated drug regimens could only be analyzed qualitatively.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview on perioperative drug treatment in pancreatic surgery. Some often-prescribed perioperative drug treatments lack high quality evidence and further research is needed.

The unique pathophysiological features of diabetes mellitus secondary to total pancreatectomy: proposal for a new classification distinct from diabetes of the exocrine pancreas

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes of the exocrine pancreas (DEP; a.k.a. pancreatic diabetes or pancreatogenic diabetes or type 3c diabetes mellitus or T3cDM) refers to different diabetes types resulting from disorders of the exocrine pancreas. DEP is characterized by the structural and functional loss of glucose-normalizing insulin secretion in the context of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. Among these forms, new-onset diabetes mellitus secondary to total pancreatectomy (TP) has unique pathophysiological and clinical features, for which we propose a new nomenclature such as post-total pancreatectomy diabetes mellitus (PTPDM).

AREAS COVERED

TP results in the complete loss of pancreatic parenchyma, with subsequent absolute insulinopenia and lifelong need for exogenous insulin therapy. Patients with PTPDM also exhibit deficiency of glucagon, amylin and pancreatic polypeptide. These endocrine abnormalities, coupled with increased peripheral insulin sensitivity, deficiency of pancreatic enzymes and TP-related modifications of gastrointestinal anatomy, can lead to marked glucose variability and increased risk of iatrogenic (insulin-induced) severe hypoglycemic episodes ('brittle diabetes').

EXPERT OPINION

We believe that diabetes mellitus secondary to TP should not be included in the DEP spectrum in light of its peculiar pathophysiological and clinical features. Therefore, we propose a new classification for this entity, that would likely provide more accurate prognosis and treatment strategies.

Analysis of perioperative glucose metabolism using an artificial pancreas

Hyperglycemia associated with insulin resistance is common in surgical patients with and without diabetes and is associated with poor surgical outcomes. Several studies have recently shown that a closed-loop blood glucose monitoring system in the form of an artificial pancreas is safe and effective for surgical patients. In this study, we analyzed the risk factors for insulin resistance in patients using an artificial pancreas. We investigated 109 patients who underwent surgical management by an artificial pancreas for 24 hours from the start of surgery during either major hepatectomy (MH), defined as resection of more than two liver segments, or pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The target glucose range was from 80 to 110 mg/dL using an artificial pancreas. We analyzed the risk factors for and predictors of a high insulin dose, including sarcopenia markers, according to the median 24-hour total insulin infusion. The median total insulin dose and glycemic control rate (GCR), which is the rate of achieving the target blood glucose range, per 24 hours were 78.0 IU and 30.4% in the MH group and 82.6 IU and 23.5% in the PD group, respectively. The muscle volume was the only independent factor in the high-dose subgroup, and the GCR was significantly lower in the high-dose subgroup despite a high insulin dose in both the MH and PD groups. The results of this study suggest that preoperative sarcopenia is closely associated with insulin resistance in the perioperative period. Clinicians must effectively manage sarcopenia, which may result in improved perioperative glycemic control and reduced postoperative complications.

Managing hyperglycemia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Improving outcomes using new technologies in intensive care

Hyperglycemia is a significant risk for mortality in COVID-19 infections and is most dramatically noted in critically ill patients. Hyperglycemia and/or diabetes are noted in approximately 30%-40% of patients admitted with COVID-19 infections. Previous studies have shown a marked increase in mortality related to increased glucose concentrations and reduction with improved glucose control. In vivo and in vitro studies reveal the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia increases virulence and how glucose control and insulin reduce it. Optimal glucose control in intensive care is limited by manual sampling of glucose and intravenous insulin adjustment, as well as increased nursing workload and the need of protective equipment. Tools for safe and effective automation of glucose control in intensive care are discussed. A suitable closed loop device could save the lives of thousands of hospitalized hyperglycemic individuals infected with COVID-19 while protecting medical professionals from infection risk.

Impact of using a perioperative artificial endocrine pancreas in pancreatic resection

AIM

Pancreatectomy causes both hyperglycemia, secondary to surgical stress, and pancreatic diabetes, which leads to difficult-to-control postoperative blood glucose levels. We investigated whether using an artificial pancreas perioperatively to provide appropriate blood glucose control could reduce postoperative complications following pancreatectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 52 patients who underwent pancreatectomy at Tokushima University Hospital from 2015 to 2019. The most recent 26/52 patients received perioperative blood glucose control using an artificial pancreas. Postoperative blood glucose control with manual insulin injections based on a sliding scale was performed in the earlier 26 patients (controls). We compared surgical outcomes between the artificial pancreas group and the control group.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in patients' white blood cell or neutrophil counts, prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio on postoperative day 1; however, lymphocyte counts were higher in the artificial pancreas group. The number of serious complications of Clavien-Dindo grade >IIIa was significantly lower in the artificial pancreas group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Using an artificial pancreas for perioperative blood glucose control in patients undergoing pancreatectomy decreased the number of serious complications through proper management of blood glucose levels without hypoglycemia, and may influence peripheral lymphocytes.

Management of Type 1 Diabetes in the Hospital Setting

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this article was to review recent guideline recommendations on glycemic target, glucose monitoring, and therapeutic strategies, while providing practical recommendations for the management of medical and surgical patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) admitted to critical and non-critical care settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies evaluating safety and efficacy of insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, electronic glucose management systems, and closed loop systems for the inpatient management of hyperglycemia are described. Due to the increased prevalence and life expectancy of patients with type 1 diabetes, a growing number of these patients require hospitalization every year. Inpatient diabetes management is complex and is best provided by a multidisciplinary diabetes team. In the absence of such resource, providers and health care staff must become familiar with the features of this condition to avoid complications such as severe hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, or glycemic variability. We reviewed most recent guidelines and relevant literature in the topic to provide practical recommendations for the inpatient management of patients with T1D.

Comparison between a novel and conventional artificial pancreas for perioperative glycemic control using a closed-loop system

This clinical study aimed to compare a novel and conventional artificial pancreas (AP) used in surgical patients for perioperative glycemic control, with respect to usability, blood glucose measurements, and glycemic control characteristics. From July in 2010 to March in 2015, 177 patients underwent perioperative glycemic control using a novel AP. Among them, 166 patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. Intensive insulin therapy (IIT) targeting a blood glucose range of 80-110 mg/dL was implemented in 82 patients (49 %), and the remaining 84 patients (51 %) received a less-intensive regime of insulin therapy. Data were collected prospectively and were reviewed or analyzed retrospectively. A comparison study of 324 patients undergoing IIT for glycemic control using a novel (n = 82) or conventional AP (n = 242) was conducted retrospectively. All patients had no hypoglycemia. The comparison study revealed no significant differences in perioperative mean blood glucose level, achievement rates for target blood glucose range, and variability in blood glucose level achieved with IIT between the novel AP and conventional AP groups. The usability, performance with respect to blood glucose measurement, and glycemic control characteristics of IIT were comparable between novel and conventional AP systems. However, the novel AP was easier to manipulate than the conventional AP due to its smaller size, lower weight, and shorter time for preparation. In the near future, this novel AP system might be accepted worldwide as a safe and useful device for use in perioperative glycemic control.

Vascular Glucose Sensor Symposium: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) for Hospitalized and Ambulatory Patients at Risk for Hyperglycemia, Hypoglycemia, and Glycemic Variability

Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glycemic variability have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost in a variety of critical care and non-critical care patient populations in the hospital. The results from prospective randomized clinical trials designed to determine the risks and benefits of intensive insulin therapy and tight glycemic control have been confusing; and at times conflicting. The limitations of point-of-care blood glucose (BG) monitoring in the hospital highlight the great clinical need for an automated real-time continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) that can accurately measure the concentration of glucose every few minutes. Automation and standardization of the glucose measurement process have the potential to significantly improve BG control, clinical outcome, safety and cost.

Perioperative intensive insulin therapy using an artificial endocrine pancreas with closed-loop glycemic control system: the effects of no hypoglycemia

BACKGROUND

We examined whether perioperative intensive insulin therapy (IIT) using an artificial pancreas (AP) with a closed-loop glycemic control system can be used to prevent hypoglycemia in surgical patients.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2012, perioperative glycemic control using an AP was performed in 427 patients undergoing general surgery. A total of 305 patients undergoing IIT using an AP in the target blood glucose range of 80 to 110 mg/dL were enrolled in the study. Data were collected prospectively and were reviewed or analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

No patients had hypoglycemia. Perioperative mean blood glucose level and achievement rates in target blood glucose range of 80 to 110 mg/dL were 100.5 ± 11.9 mg/dL and 88.1% ± 16.0%, respectively. For the 3 primary operative methods, including hepatic, pancreatic, and esophageal resections, there were no significant differences in glycemic control stability between the types of surgery.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative IIT using an AP with a closed-loop glycemic control system can be used to prevent hypoglycemia and maintain stable glycemic control with less variability of blood glucose concentration.

Tight glycemic control using an artificial endocrine pancreas may play an important role in preventing infection after pancreatic resection

It is well known that perioperative hyperglycemia is the main cause of infectious complications after surgery. To improve perioperative glycemic control, we wish to highlight and comment on an interesting paper published recently by the Annals of Surgery entitled: “Early postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with postoperative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD)” by Eshuis et al. The authors concluded that early postoperative glucose levels more than 140 mg/dL was significantly associated with complications after PD. Since we recommend that perioperative tight glycemic control (TGC) is an effective method to prevent postoperative complications including surgical site infection after distal, proximal, and total pancreatic resection, we support strongly this conclusion drawn in this article. However, if early postoperative glucose control in patients undergoing PD was administrated by conventional method such as sliding scale approach as described in this article, it is difficult to maintain TGC. Therefore, we introduce a novel perioperative glycemic control using an artificial endocrine pancreas against pancreatogenic diabetes after pancreatic resection including PD.

Perioperative glycemic management in 2011: paradigm shifts

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The publication of Van den Berghe's landmark study in 2001 supported the use of intensive insulin therapy (IIT) to target normoglycemia in the critically ill and triggered a new era in glycemic management in the perioperative period and in the ICU. In 2009, the normoglycemia in intensive care evaluation-survival using glucose algorithm regulation (NICE-SUGAR) trial demonstrated increased mortality and incidence of hypoglycemia in patients managed with IIT, resulting in a shift toward higher blood glucose targets in this patient population. This review distills clinically pertinent principles from the related literature published in the months since the NICE-SUGAR trial.

RECENT FINDINGS

A target blood glucose level in the acute care setting supported by many of the pertinent societies and frequently quoted in the literature is 140-180 mg/dl. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glucose variability are detrimental. Accurate and efficient glucose monitoring devices are essential. Insulin infusion protocols (IIPs) employed to achieve desired blood glucose targets must be individualized and validated for the ICU and institution in which they are being implemented.

SUMMARY

Appropriate glycemic management in the acute care setting can be achieved by targeting a reasonable blood glucose range and employing specific and institutionally validated IIPs.

Pancreatogenic diabetes after pancreatic resection

The loss of pancreatic parenchyma resulting from pancreatic resection causes an extreme disruption of glucose homeostasis known as pancreatogenic diabetes. This form of glucose intolerance is different from the other forms of diabetes mellitus in that affected individuals suffer frequent episodes of iatrogenic hypoglycemia. The development of sophisticated surgical procedures, improved postoperative care, and the capacity for early diagnosis of disease has prolonged life expectancy after pancreatic resection. For this reason, pancreatogenic diabetes is now attracting attention as the primary factor influencing quality of life in patients who have undergone this procedure. The incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after pancreatic resection increases as the follow-up period after surgery becomes longer and is related to the progression of underlying disease, the type of surgery, and the extent of resection. The pathophysiology of pancreatogenic diabetes is related to pancreatic hormone deficiency and the altered responses of the liver and peripheral organs to lower than normal hormone levels. Hyperglycemia occurs when the amount of insulin produced or administered is insufficient because of unsuppressed hepatic glucose production secondary to a deficiency in pancreatic polypeptide. In contrast, patients lapse into hypoglycemia when insulin is barely excessive because of enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucagon deficiency. Nutritional state, pancreatic exocrine function and intestinal function also affect glycemic control. Insulin replacement is considered to be the main treatment option for insulin dependent pancreatogenic diabetes. Pancreatic polypeptide replacement and islet autotransplantation have potential as new approaches to treating patients with pancreatogenic diabetes after pancreatic resection. and IAP.