Glucose metabolism and insulin therapy

Crit Care Clin. 2006 Jan;22(1):119-29, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2005.09.005.

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is a common feature of the critically ill patient and has been associated with increased mortality. Maintaining normoglycemia with insulin therapy improves survival and reduces morbidity in surgical ICU patients, as shown by a large randomized controlled study. Prevention of glucose toxicity by strict glycemic control but also other metabolic and non-metabolic effects of insulin contribute to these clinical benefits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Critical Illness*
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy
  • Hyperglycemia / etiology
  • Hyperglycemia / physiopathology*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Stress, Physiological / complications
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Glucose