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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Safe and rapid resolution of severe hypertriglyceridaemia in two patients with intravenous insulin
1Weston Area Health Trust, Weston General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK. jessicatriay@hotmail.com
Aim:
To rapidly reduce serum triglyceride to a safe serum level. Severe hypertriglyceridaemia is associated with uncontrolled diabetes, obesity and poor physical activity. Even moderate increases in triglyceride levels (> 5mmol/L) confer an increased risk of pancreatitis and coronary artery disease. We present two patients with diabetes and serum triglyceride levels of greater than 85mmol/L despite polypharmacy intervention.
Method:
72-hour intravenous insulin infusion was administered.
Results:
Serum triglyceride levels fell to 9.4 and 4.6 mmol/L respectively, without adverse events and sustained effect over several months.
Conclusion:
We suggest the use of intravenous insulin infusion where lifestyle and oral drug therapies have failed can impact on severe hypertriglyceridaemia.
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