[Hyperglycemia and cardiovascular events]

Besides classical, modifiable risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking) abnormalities of the glucose metabolism (diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance) are strong emerging cardiovascular risk factors. Epidemiological data indicate that 8 % of the population and up to 60 % of patients with coronary artery disease have abnormalities of glucose metabolism. The prevalence of these abnormalities will increase as the population ages and the mean body weight increases. An abnormal glucose concentration damages the endothelium in several ways: increased oxidative stress, inflammatory processes and an activation of procoagulant factors all impair endothelial function. A blood glucose normalising therapy is thought to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events in these patients. In patients with an acute myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus an early intensive insulin therapy improves the outcome of these patients. In summary, the early detection and treatment of abnormalities of glucose metabolism reduces cardiac events.