A comparison of continuous intravenous insulin and subcutaneous insulin among patients with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure exacerbation
Article
Dungan, KM, Osei, K, Gaillard, T et al. (2015). A comparison of continuous intravenous insulin and subcutaneous insulin among patients with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure exacerbation
. 31(1), 93-101. 10.1002/dmrr.2569
Dungan, KM, Osei, K, Gaillard, T et al. (2015). A comparison of continuous intravenous insulin and subcutaneous insulin among patients with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure exacerbation
. 31(1), 93-101. 10.1002/dmrr.2569
Background: The study aims to determine whether the route of insulin administration influences glycaemic variability and inflammatory or neurohormonal markers in patients with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation. Methods: Patients (n=65) were randomized to intravenous (IV) insulin (duration 48 h) or subcutaneous (SQ) insulin. Inflammatory cytokines and markers of lipid oxidation, high-frequency heart rate variability (n=27) and cardiac impedance (pre-ejection period, n=28) were used to estimate parasympathetic and sympathetic tone in patients with valid cardiac data. Glycaemic variability was measured using a continuous glucose monitor. Results: Mean glucose was lower (7.7±1.2 vs 9.4±2.7 mmol/L, p=0.004), coefficient of variation was higher (p=0.03) and glycaemic lability index was similar on day 1 in the IV group compared with the SQ group, but groups were similar by day 2. The IV group had more confirmed hypoglycaemia (p=0.005). There were no differences in hospital readmission or hospital length of stay between groups. There were no differences in CHF biomarkers, heart rate variability or pre-ejection period between groups. Increasing log glycaemic lability index was associated with lower on-treatment pre-ejection period (p=0.03) while increasing coefficient of variation was associated with increasing brain natriuretic peptide (p=0.004) and paroxonase-1 (p=0.02). Other univariable analyses were not significant. Conclusions: There were modest, transient differences in glucose control between IV and SQ insulin in hospitalized CHF patients. However, the analyses do not support a link between insulin route and inflammatory markers or autonomic tone. Further study is needed to assess outcomes in hospitalized CHF patients.
