Valk T, McMorrow C. Managing hyperglycemia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Improving outcomes using new technologies in intensive care.
SAGE Open Med 2020;
8:2050312120974174. [PMID:
33282306 PMCID:
PMC7686601 DOI:
10.1177/2050312120974174]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia is a significant risk for mortality in COVID-19 infections
and is most dramatically noted in critically ill patients.
Hyperglycemia and/or diabetes are noted in approximately 30%–40% of
patients admitted with COVID-19 infections. Previous studies have
shown a marked increase in mortality related to increased glucose
concentrations and reduction with improved glucose control. In vivo
and in vitro studies reveal the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia
increases virulence and how glucose control and insulin reduce it.
Optimal glucose control in intensive care is limited by manual
sampling of glucose and intravenous insulin adjustment, as well as
increased nursing workload and the need of protective equipment. Tools
for safe and effective automation of glucose control in intensive care
are discussed. A suitable closed loop device could save the lives of
thousands of hospitalized hyperglycemic individuals infected with
COVID-19 while protecting medical professionals from infection
risk.
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