[Pathophysiology of impaired insulin sensitivity in the perioperative period]

Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance are frequently observed during critical illness. The underlying pathophysiology is not yet fully understood, although hyperglycemia predicts post-surgical morbidity and mortality. Apparently perioperative insulin resistance has a complex pathophysiology and tissue-specific differences have to be considered. Multiple causative factors and intracellular signalling pathways have been identified driving the development of systemic perioperative insulin resistance. This review will focus on mechanisms involving the classical insulin signalling cascade.