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).