The Particulars: Data are lacking on how often glucose control is achieved in community practice for patients undergoing CABG. There are also few analyses examining factors that can help predict better or worse glucose control in CABG recipients.
Data Breakdown: In-range glucose control (levels between 70 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL in the first 24 hours after surgery) was analyzed in more than 2,000 patients who underwent CABG in a study. Of the 69.6% of patients who did not have their glucose controlled after CABG, 87.0% had hyperglycemia, 5.1% had hypoglycemia, and 7.9% had both. Better glucose control was observed in people with diabetes taking insulin and other treatments. Patients with in-range glucose control had significantly lower rates of mortality and major complications, including reoperations, mediastinitis, stroke, renal insufficiency, or prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Take Home Pearls: Less than one-third of CABG patients in community practice appear to achieve in-range glucose control within the first 24 postoperative hours. Opportunities exist to improve glucose control in CABG surgery recipients, which may in turn improve clinical outcomes.
