Questionnaire survey on perioperative management of diabetic patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery

BACKGROUND: Not many cardiovascular surgeries of diabetic patients were performed with optimal preoperative glycemic control because there was no diabetologist in our hospital. To examine how this complication was treated in other hospitals, we conducted a questionnaire survey sent to anesthesiologists in Japan on perioperative management of diabetic patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: In April 2004, 250 hospitals where cardiovascular surgery was performed were chosen by Internet search. We mailed questionnaires consisting of 16 questions on perioperative management of diabetic patients to the department of anesthesiology of those hospitals. Self-addressed envelopes were attached for returning answers. RESULTS: Answers were collected from 122 hospitals (48.8%). Physicians and/or surgeons handled preoperative management of diabetes mellitus and there was little concern by anesthesiologists. This management satisfied anesthesiologists with satisfaction level of 70%. Postponement of surgery due to poor preoperative diabetic control was experienced in 55 (45%) hospitals. Seventy-one percent of anesthesiologists regarded perioperative glycemic control important, but the strict glycemic control method was not yet employed in most hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The survey showed that many anesthesiologists regarded perioperative glycemic control important and were satisfied with the present preoperative management. For better management, better cooperation between anesthesiologists, surgeons and diabetologists is needed.