Background: This study was undertaken to determine whether glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) would improve myocardial performance and limit morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting in diabetic patients.
Methods: Forty consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting patients with medically treated diabetes mellitus were prospectively randomly assigned to either a GIK group (n = 20; 500 mL D5W + 80 U regular insulin + 40 mEq KCl 30 mL/hour) or a no-GIK group (n = 20; D5W at 30 mL/hour). The GIK was begun at anesthetic induction and continued for 12 hours postoperatively.
Results: Patients treated with GIK had higher postoperative cardiac indices (2.88 +/- 0.50 versus 2.20 +/- 0.39 L/minute per square meter; p < 0.0001), lower inotrope scores (0.40 +/- 0.68 versus 1.25 +/- 1.44; p = 0.05), less weight gain (5.80 +/- 3.76 versus 13.85 +/- 6.52 pounds; p < 0.0001), and had shorter times of ventilator support (8.35 +/- 2.60 versus 13.45 +/- 7.33 hours; p = 0.0128). They had a significantly lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (15% versus 60%; p = 0.003), and shorter hospital stays (6.70 +/- 1.52 versus 10.15 +/- 6.62 days; p = 0.02).
Conclusions: Substrate enhancement with GIK in diabetic patients improved myocardial performance and resulted in faster recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting.