[The influence of intensive insulin therapy on hemodynamics in patients with septic shock]

To elucidate effects of intensive insulin therapy and target glucose control on hemodynamics and cardiac function in patients with septic shock.

Twenty-seven patients of septic shock with myocardial depression were divided into routine group (14 cases, level of blood glucose was 4.1 to 6.1 mmol/L) and target group (13 cases, level of blood glucose was 6.2 to 8.3 mmol/L). Hemodynamics and cardiac function parameters were obtained via pulmonary artery catheter after 48 hours.

Mean blood glucose level in target group was lower than that in routine group [(6.0+/-1.5) mmol/L vs. (8.2+/-1.9) mmol/L, P<0.05], with dosage of insulin infusion in target group increased as compared with that of routine group [(10.3+/-3.7) U/h vs. (7.5+/-3.0) U/h, P<0.05]. Furthermore, oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI) and oxygen delivery index (DO(2)I) were increased 20.2%, 23.3%, 15.1% and 11.7%, respectively (all P<0.05). On the other hands, there was no significant difference between target and routine group in mean artery pressure, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, blood lactic acid (all P>0.05), although the incidence of severe hypoglycemia was higher in target group than the routine group (38.5% vs. 28.6%, P>0.05).

Intensive insulin therapy and blood glucose control may improve hemodynamic status and enhance cardiac function in patients with septic shock and myocardial depression.