The influence of intensive insulin therapy on hemodynamics in patients with septic shock

Abstract

To elucidate effects of intensive insulin therapy and target glucose control on hemodynamics and cardiac function in patients with septic shock. Twenty-seven patients of septic shock with myocardial depression were divided into routine group (14 cases, level of blood glucose was 4.1 to 6.1 mmol/L) and target group (13 cases, level of blood glucose was 6.2 to 8.3 mmol/L). Hemodynamics and cardiac function parameters were obtained via pulmonary artery catheter after 48 hours. Mean blood glucose level in target group was lower than that in routine group [(6.0+/-1.5) mmol/L vs. (8.2+/-1.9) mmol/L, P<0.05], with dosage of insulin infusion in target group increased as compared with that of routine group [(10.3+/-3.7) U/h vs. (7.5+/-3.0) U/h, P<0.05]. Furthermore, oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI) and oxygen delivery index (DO(2)I) were increased 20.2%, 23.3%, 15.1% and 11.7%, respectively (all P<0.05). On the other hands, there was no significant difference between target and routine group in mean artery pressure, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, blood lactic acid (all P>0.05), although the incidence of severe hypoglycemia was higher in target group than the routine group (38.5% vs. 28.6%, P>0.05). Intensive insulin therapy and blood glucose control may improve hemodynamic status and enhance cardiac function in patients with septic shock and myocardial depression.