Comparison of conventional measures of glucose control versus the area under the curve from a continuous glucose monitoring device in critical care patients

In critical illness, hyperglycemia is a frequent complication resulting from metabolic and hormonal changes. Recent findings suggest increased glycemic variability may confer a strong independent risk of mortality in the critically ill [1]. Conventional measurements of glucose control include morning glucose, mean daily glucose, percentage of glucose readings in the goal range, and the hyperglycemic index (HGI) [2]. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate method for assessing glycemic control in cardiovascular (CV) surgery patients.