Update on glucose in critical care

Abstract

The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments on the mechanisms involved in stress hyperglycemia associated with critical illness. Different aspects of the consequences of stress hyperglycemia as well as the therapeutic approaches tested so far are discussed: the physiological regulations of blood glucose, the mechanisms underlying stress hyperglycemia, the clinical associations, and the results of the prospective trials and meta-analyses to be taken into consideration when interpreting the available data. Current recommendations, challenges, and technological hopes for the future are be discussed.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Dysglycemia; Glucose monitoring; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Insulin therapy; Metabolic stress; Stress hyperglycemia.