Augmented glycaemic gap is a marker for an increased risk of post-infarct left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Yong Zhu1, Kesen Liu1, Shuai Meng2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China.

Insights

The glycaemic gap, a measure of stress-induced hyperglycemia, is linked to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This index is particularly valuable for identifying high-risk patients with diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a common complication following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  • The factors contributing to and mechanisms behind post-infarct LVSD are not fully elucidated.
  • This study explores the relationship between the glycaemic gap and post-infarct LVSD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between the glycaemic gap, an indicator of stress-induced hyperglycemia, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) after STEMI.
  • To assess the predictive value of the glycaemic gap for post-infarct LVSD in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM).

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 274 STEMI patients.
  • Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline and 6 months post-discharge.
  • Glycaemic gap was calculated as admission blood glucose (ABG) minus estimated average glucose over the preceding 3 months.

Main Results:

  • In non-diabetic patients, both glycaemic gap and ABG were associated with changes in LVEF and increased risk of post-infarct LVSD.
  • In diabetic patients, only the glycaemic gap remained associated with changes in LVEF and predicted an increased risk of post-infarct LVSD.
  • The glycaemic gap demonstrated comparable or superior predictive value for post-infarct LVSD compared to ABG, especially in diabetic patients.

Conclusions:

  • The glycaemic gap is strongly associated with changes in LVEF and the risk of post-infarct LVSD in STEMI patients.
  • In STEMI patients with diabetes, the glycaemic gap offers more valuable predictive information for post-infarct LVSD than admission blood glucose alone.
Abstract