Derangements in blood glucose following initial resuscitation from in-hospital cardiac arrest: A report from the national registry of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

Study aims Hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients. We examined blood glucose values following in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) to (1) characterize post-arrest glucose ranges, (2) develop outcomes-based thresholds of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and (3) identify risk factors associated with post-arrest glucose derangements. Methods We retrospectively studied 17,800 adult IHCA events reported to the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NRCPR) from January 1, 2005 through February 1, 2007. Results Data were available from 3218 index events. Maximum blood glucose values were elevated in diabetics (median 226 mg/dL [IQR, 165–307 mg/dL], 12.5 mmol/L [IQR 9.2–17.0 mmol/L]) and non-diabetics (median 176 mg/dL [IQR, 135–239 mg/dL], 9.78 mmol/L [IQR 7.5–13.3 mmol/L]). Unadjusted survival to hospital discharge was higher in non-diabetics than diabetics (45.5% [95% CI, 43.3–47.6%] vs. 41.7% [95% CI, 38.9–44.5%], p = 0.037). Non-diabetics displayed decreased adjusted survival odds for minimum glucose values outside the range of 71–170 mg/dL (3.9–9.4 mmol/L) and maximum values outside the range of 111–240 mg/dL (6.2–13.3 mmol/L). Diabetic survival odds decreased for minimum glucose greater than 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L). In non-diabetics, arrest duration was identified as a significant factor associated with the development of hypo- and hyperglycemia. Conclusions Hyperglycemia is common in diabetics and non-diabetics following IHCA. Survival odds in diabetics are relatively insensitive to blood glucose with decreased survival only associated with severe (>240 mg/dL, >13.3 mmol/dL) hyperglycemia. In non-diabetics, survival odds were sensitive to hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL, <3.9 mmol/L).