Arterial catheter setup for glucose control in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Use of an arterial catheter to obtain hourly blood samples for intensive insulin therapy monitoring avoids causing patients the discomfort of repeated fingersticks. Returning the clearing volume may decrease procedure-related blood loss by 50% and minimize the risk of anemia. OBJECTIVES: To compare the feasibility of 2 arterial catheter clearing-volume return setups for hourly blood extractions and to evaluate the related complications and the accuracy of arterial samples in determining glycemia. METHODS: In an open clinical trial, 90 critical patients undergoing intensive insulin therapy who had a radial arterial catheter were randomized to an intervention group-nonwaste needleless setup or nonwaste syringe setup and compared with the standard setup (control group). Mechanical and infectious complications related to the arterial catheter were evaluated. Blood glucose measurements at point-of-care glucometer (arterial catheter or fingerstick sample) were compared with laboratory results (venous blood). RESULTS: No patient had catheter-related infection in the intervention group (an estimated 12776 manipulations); the control group had 2 infection episodes in 5230 catheter-days (an estimated 13 075 manipulations). The incidence of bacterial colonization was not significantly higher in the needleless group than in the syringe group (22.2% vs 12.2%; relative risk, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.16-1.71), with 1778 (SD, 114) and 1918 (SD, 82) catheter manipulations, respectively. Arterial catheter complications were negligible in all patients. Glycemia was detected from arterial catheter samples as effectively as with laboratory results (venous samples) except when hematocrit was less than 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Use of blood obtained via an arterial catheter is safe and effective for glucose monitoring in patients undergoing intensive insulin therapy, with no increase in complications of catheterization.

Control glucémico en el enfermo crítico: comparación de dos protocolos de insulinización intravenosa / The optimal blood glucose target in critically ill patient: comparison of two intensive insulin therapy protocols

Fundamento y objetivo: Estudios recientes en enfermos críticos tratados con intensive insulin therapy (ITT, «insulina intensiva intravenosa») han observado una mayor incidencia de hipoglucemia grave, mientras que la insulinoterapia intermitente subcutánea con sliding scales (conventional insulin therapy [CIT, «tratamiento convencional de insulina»]) se asocia a hiperglucemia. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar si el rango de control glucémico en IIT puede afectar a los valores de glucemia y a su variabilidad y compararlo con CIT. Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo comparativo de cohortes en una unidad de cuidados intensivos, con 2 períodos de estudio: Período 1, IIT con intervalo glucémico objetivo de 110-140 mg/dl, y Período 2, con reintervalo glucémico objetivo de 140-180 mg/dl. En ambos períodos la glucemia objetivo para CIT fue de 110-180 mg/dl. Se evaluó la hipoglucemia grave (< 50 mg/dl), moderada (51-79 mg/dl), hiperglucemia (> 216 mg/dl) y la variabilidad de los valores de glucemia. Resultados: Se estudiaron 221 pacientes con 12.825 determinaciones de glucemia. El 26 y 17% de los pacientes requirieron control glucémico mediante IIT en los períodos 1 y 2, respectivamente. La hipoglucemia se relacionó con una ingesta nutricional discontinua, un objetivo glucémico de 110-140 mg/dl y un índice de masa corporal (IMC) bajo (p = 0,002), mientras que la hiperglucemia se relacionó exclusivamente con el antecedente de diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 2,6, intervalo de confianza del 95% 1,6-4,5). La variabilidad de la glucemia se relacionó con una ingesta nutricional discontinua, IMC bajo, insulinización CIT, ser diabético, edad avanzada y APACHE II elevado (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: El uso de IIT es útil para disminuir la variabilidad de la glucemia. Aunque sería más seguro el intervalo 140-180 mg/dl, al presentar mayor variabilidad e hiperglucemia es más idóneo el de 110-140 mg/dl (AU)

Background and objective: Recent studies in critically ill patients receiving insulin intravenous therapy (IIT) have shown an increased incidence of severe hypoglycemia, while intermittent subcutaneous insulin «sliding scales» (conventional insulin therapy [CIT]) is associated with hyperglycemia. The objective of this study is to assess whether glycemic control range IIT can affect glucose levels and their variability and to compare it with CIT. Patients and method: Prospective comparative cohort study in intensive care unit, with 2 study periods: Period 1, IIT with glycemic target range 110-140 mg/dL, and Period 2, IIT of 140-180 mg/dL. In both periods CIT glycemic target was 110-180 mg/dL. We assessed severe hypoglycemia (< 50 mg/dL), moderate hypoglycemia (51-79 mg/dL), hyperglycemia (> 216 mg/L) and the variability of blood glucose. Results: We studied 221 patients with 12.825 blood glucose determinations. Twenty-six and 17% of patients required IIT for glycemic control in Period 1 and 2, respectively. Hypoglycemia was associated with a discontinuous nutritional intake, glycemic target 110-140 mg/dL and low body mass index (BMI) (P = .002). Hyperglycemia was exclusively associated with a history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.6 [95% CI 1.6 to 4.5]). Glycemic variability was associated with a discontinuous nutritional intake, low BMI, CIT insulinization, diabetes mellitus, elderly and high APACHE II (P < .001). Conclusions: The use of IIT is useful to reduce the variability of blood glucose. Although the 140-180 mg/dL range would be more secure as to presenting greater variability and hyperglycemia, the 110-140 mg/dL range is most suitable (AU)

[The optimal blood glucose target in critically ill patient: comparison of two intensive insulin therapy protocols]. / Control glucémico en el enfermo crítico: comparación de dos protocolos de insulinización intravenosa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies in critically ill patients receiving insulin intravenous therapy (IIT) have shown an increased incidence of severe hypoglycemia, while intermittent subcutaneous insulin «sliding scales¼ (conventional insulin therapy [CIT]) is associated with hyperglycemia. The objective of this study is to assess whether glycemic control range IIT can affect glucose levels and their variability and to compare it with CIT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective comparative cohort study in intensive care unit, with 2 study periods: Period 1, IIT with glycemic target range 110-140 mg/dL, and Period 2, IIT of 140-180 mg/dL. In both periods CIT glycemic target was 110-180 mg/dL. We assessed severe hypoglycemia (< 50 mg/dL), moderate hypoglycemia (51-79 mg/dL), hyperglycemia (> 216 mg/L) and the variability of blood glucose. RESULTS: We studied 221 patients with 12.825 blood glucose determinations. Twenty-six and 17% of patients required IIT for glycemic control in Period 1 and 2, respectively. Hypoglycemia was associated with a discontinuous nutritional intake, glycemic target 110-140 mg/dL and low body mass index (BMI) (P = .002). Hyperglycemia was exclusively associated with a history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.6 [95% CI 1.6 to 4.5]). Glycemic variability was associated with a discontinuous nutritional intake, low BMI, CIT insulinization, diabetes mellitus, elderly and high APACHE II (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of IIT is useful to reduce the variability of blood glucose. Although the 140-180 mg/dL range would be more secure as to presenting greater variability and hyperglycemia, the 110-140 mg/dL range is most suitable.