Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Full neurological recovery after extreme hypoglycemia during intensive insulin therapy: a case report
Veerle M Piot1, Anton Verrijcken, Marc Vanhoof
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Catharina Ziekenhuis, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Veerle_Piot@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Since 2000, there has been an ongoing debate regarding tightness of glycemic control in critically ill patients. An increased risk of hypoglycemia is observed in patients treated with an intensive insulin protocol targeting "normoglycemia," probably accounting for a reduction of the overall benefit. Hypoglycemia is associated with neurological side effects and is found to be an independent predictor of mortality in most trials; however, long-term sequelae are rare if glucose is administered early. We describe a case of prolonged, extreme hypoglycemia in a critically ill patient treated according to an intensive insulin protocol who recovered without any neurological deficit at discharge.
Related Concept Videos
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Hypoglycemia
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Hyperglycemia
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

