Glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) therapy for ischemic heart disease

In 1912 Goulston advocated glucose therapy for several different kinds of heart disease, and in 1933 Shirley-Smith recommended glucose and insulin for coronary artery disease. Thirty years later, Laborit noted that treatment of rabbits with glucose and insulin prevented ventricular fibrillation induced by potassium chloride solutions. Sodi-Pallares et al, pioneers in glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) therapy for heart disease, showed not only that potassium may be a major excitant in the genesis of ventricular tachycardia in the ischemic heart but that GIK solution was capable of enhancing oxidative phosphorylation in the ischemic heart. Interest in GIK therapy for ischemic heart disease has been renewed as the effects of GIK solutions on myocardial infarct size, metabolism and electrical properties are better understood. In this paper, selected new information regarding the actions of GIK and the clinical applications will be reviewed.