Glucose Control in Intensive Care Unit Patients: Recent Updates

Abstract

Proper glucose management in hospitalized patients can improve clinical outcomes. In particular, intensive care unit (ICU) patients are known to have significantly higher rates of mortality from changes in blood glucose due to severe comorbidities. Improving glucose control in ICU patients, therefore, can improve mortality and prognosis. Several studies related to the management of blood glucose in the ICU patients have been conducted. Intensive glucose management of surgical ICU patients has been successful. However, studies on medical ICU patients did not demonstrate positive effects of strict glycemic control. There is no independent glucose management goal for neurological ICU patients. However, maintenance of the usual glucose control target of 140180 mg/dL is recommended for ICU patients. Intravenous insulin infusion is essential for glucose control in ICU patients not consuming a regular diet, and caution should be exercised to prevent hypoglycemia. J Neurocrit Care 2018;11(2):81-85