Intensive versus conventional insulin therapy in critically ill neurologic patients.

Background: Previous studies of glycemic control in non-neurologic ICU patients have shown conflicting results. The purpose was to investigate whether intensive insulin therapy (IIT) to keep blood glucose levels from 80 to 110 mg/dl or conventional treatment to keep levels less than 151 mg/dl was associated with a reduction of mortality and improved functional outcome in critically ill neurologic patients.

Methods: Within 24 h of ICU admission, mechanically ventilated adult neurologic patients were enrolled after written informed consent and randomized to intensive or conventional control of blood glucose levels with insulin.