Insulin therapy and blood glucose management in critically ill patients: a 1-day cross-sectional observational study in 69 French intensive care units

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycaemia is common in critically ill patients, but blood glucose and insulin management may differ widely among intensive care units (ICUs). We aimed to describe insulin use practices and the resulting glycaemic control in French ICUs. We conducted a multicentre 1-day observational study on November 23, 2021, in 69 French ICUs. Adult patients hospitalized for an acute organ failure, severe infection or post-operative care were included. Data were recorded from midnight to 11:59 p.m. the day of the study by 4-h periods.

RESULTS

Two ICUs declared to have no insulin protocol. There was a wide disparity in blood glucose targets between ICUs with 35 different target ranges recorded. In 893 included patients we collected 4823 blood glucose values whose distribution varied significantly across ICUs (P < 0.0001). We observed 1135 hyperglycaemias (> 1.8 g/L) in 402 (45.0%) patients, 35 hypoglycaemias (≤ 0.7 g/L) in 26 (2.9%) patients, and one instance of severe hypoglycaemia (≤ 0.4 g/L). Four hundred eight (45.7%) patients received either IV insulin (255 [62.5%]), subcutaneous (SC) insulin (126 [30.9%]), or both (27 [6.6%]). Among patients under protocolized intravenous (IV) insulin, 767/1681 (45.6%) of glycaemias were above the target range. Among patients receiving insulin, short- and long-acting SC insulin use were associated with higher counts of hyperglycaemias as assessed by multivariable negative binomial regression adjusted for the propensity to receive SC insulin: incidence rate ratio of 3.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.97-4.00) (P < 0.0001) and 3.58 (95% CI 2.84-4.52) (P < 0.0001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Practices regarding blood glucose management varied widely among French ICUs. Administration of short or long-acting SC insulin was not unusual and associated with more frequent hyperglycaemia. The protocolized insulin algorithms used failed to prevent hyperglycaemic events.

Decompressive craniectomy as a rescue treatment in Herpes simplex encephalitis-related cerebral edema: a case report and literature review

We present a case of herpes simplex encephalitis requiring decompressive craniectomy for high intracranial pressure, and a review of decompressive craniectomy in herpes simplex encephalitis.  Case description and review: a 32-year-old man was brought to emergency department for headache and fever. The cerebral spinal fluid examination found lymphocytic meningitis; treatment by acyclovir was initiated 4 days after admission. At day 5, patient developed clinical signs of high intracranial pressure and CT-scan showed cerebral herniation. After medical management fail, a decompressive craniectomy was performed on the same day. The procedure resulted in a good clinical recovery with minor neurological sequelae. A literature review, presented here, found few cases of decompressive craniectomy in herpes simplex encephalitis. Due to a lack of robust clinical data, no guideline are yet available. In summary, a surgical approach, such as a decompressive craniectomy, in herpes simplex encephalitis with high intracranial pressure should be discussed early, in association with the medical treatment. Prospective data are needed to better define timing of surgery and decision-making criteria.