72 – Should Blood Glucose Be Tightly Controlled in the Intensive Care Unit?

Abstract: Stress hyperglycemia occurs frequently during critical illness due to the increased resistance to insulin. The three domains of dysglycemia, that is, stress hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and high glycemic variability, are associated with a poor outcome. The risk-to-benefit ratio of intensive insulin therapy aiming at a blood glucose target ranging from 80 to 110 mg/dL has not been found beneficial in most interventional studies. Glycemic control titrated to reach liberal glycemic ranges of blood glucose and personalized targets are currently investigated in clinical trials.