Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Prognostic value of blood glucose in patients with cardiogenic shock

Katsushige Tada1, Ken Nagao, Katsuhisa Tanjoh

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. tadakatu@med.nihon-u.ac.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|July 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elevated blood glucose levels upon emergency room arrival predict mortality risk in patients with cardiogenic shock. A glucose level of 9.2 mmol/L or higher significantly increases the risk of in-hospital death.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Elevated blood glucose is a known prognostic factor in cardiovascular disease.
  • Limited data exist on its predictive value in cardiogenic shock patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic value of blood glucose levels on emergency room (ER) arrival for patients with cardiogenic shock.
  • To assess the relationship between blood glucose, adrenaline levels, and in-hospital mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 81 patients with cardiogenic shock.
  • Measurement of blood glucose and adrenaline levels on ER arrival.
  • Primary endpoint: in-hospital death from any cause.

Main Results:

  • In-hospital death rate was 12.3%.
  • Patients who died had significantly higher glucose levels (13.8+/-6.7 mmol/L) than survivors (8.7+/-3.7 mmol/L).
  • A blood glucose level of >= 9.2 mmol/L was associated with a 5.8-fold increased adjusted risk of death (p=0.047).
  • A significant positive correlation was found between glucose and adrenaline levels (R=0.726, p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Blood glucose measurement on ER arrival is a valuable tool for risk stratification in cardiogenic shock.
  • This simple test can help identify high-risk patients needing closer monitoring and intervention.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers01:20

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers

Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Hypoglycemia01:26

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...