Abstract Although metabolic abnormalities have been linked with poor outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage, there are limited data addressing the impact of glycemic control or benefits of glucose management after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A systematic literature search was conducted of English-language articles describing original research on glycemic control in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case reports and case series were excluded. A total of 22 publications were selected for this review. Among the 17 studies investigating glucose as an outcome predictor, glucose levels during hospitalization were more likely to predict outcome than admission glucose. In general, hyperglycemia was linked to worse outcome. While insulin therapy in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients was shown to effectively control plasma glucose levels, plasma glucose control was not necessarily reflective of cerebral glucose such that very tight glucose control may lead to neuroglycopenia. Furthermore, tight glycemic control was associated with an increased risk for hypoglycemia which was linked to worse outcome.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s12028-011-9601-0
- Authors
- Erich Schmutzhard, Department of Neurology, Neurocritical Care Unit, University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria
- Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY, USA
- The Participants in the International multi-disciplinary Consensus Conference on the Critical care Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Journal Neurocritical Care
- Online ISSN 1556-0961
- Print ISSN 1541-6933
