Tighter glucose control while minimizing the risk of severe hypoglycemia is associated with lower mortality among critically ill cardiac patents, new research suggests.

Researchers reported in CHEST on the outcomes of a multicenter retrospective cohort study in 1,809 adults in cardiac ICUs.

Patients were treated either to a blood glucose target of 80-110 mg/dL or 90-140 mg/dL, based on the clinician’s preference, but using a computerized ICU insulin infusion protocol that the authors said had resulted in low rates of severe hypoglycemia.

The study found patients treated to the 80-110 mg/dL blood glucose target had a significantly lower unadjusted 30-day mortality compared to patients treated to the 90-140 mg/dL target.

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