Continuous Glucose Monitoring in a 71-year-old Man with Diabetes and COVID-19 During an Episode of Cardiac Arrest: Return of Spontaneous Circulation and Subsequent Death

ABSTRACT

We assessed real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) data in an individual with type 2 diabetes who presented with severe symptoms of COVID-19, and suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during hospitalization. In this retrospective analysis, we used rtCGM to evaluate changes in blood glucose levels in a 71-year-old male with COVID-19 symptoms who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Blood glucose levels remained constant at 220–225 mg/dL after the first cardiac arrest, slowly decreased to 167 mg/dL after return of spontaneous circulation was achieved, and rose to 198 mg/dL prior to the second arrest. After the patient expired, glucose levels decreased to the 141 mg/dL over the first hour, but quickly declined to undetectable levels within the next 20 minutes. Wider adoption of rtCGM use in patients with COVID-19 may help identify blood glucose patterns and uncover new insights to various comorbidities and conditions