A prospective randomized trial comparing computerized columnar insulin dosing chart (the Atlanta protocol) versus the joint British diabetes societies for inpatient care protocol in management of hyperglycemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to cardiac care unit in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is linked to raised morbidity and mortality. Insulin administration using insulin infusion protocols (IIP) is the preferred strategy to control hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. To date, no specific IIP has been identified as the most efficient for achieving glycemic control.

Aim: to compare glycemic achievements (safety) (primary objective), and coronary and other clinical outcomes (efficacy) (secondary objective) by hyperglycemia management in Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) using computerized Atlanta Protocol (Group (I)) versus paper-based Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) For Inpatient Care Protocol (Group (II)).

Patients And Methods: The study was done on 100 ACS patients admitted to Alexandria Main University hospital CCU with RBG >180 mg/dL. They were randomized into the 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. CBG was measured hourly for 72 hours and was managed by IV insulin infusion.

Results: Group (I) showed statistically significant less mean time for target BG achievement (3.52 ± 1.53hours), lower incidence of Level 1 hypoglycemia (2%) than Group (II) (4.76 ± 2.33 hours, 22%, p = 0.013, 0.002 respectively) and statistically significant less mean number of episodes above the glycemic target after its achievement than Group (II) (p < 0.001). Regarding Level 2 hypoglycemia the difference was not significant statistically.

Conclusion: Both protocols successfully maintained target BG level with low incidence of clinically significant hypoglycemia, however, the computerized Atlanta protocol achieved better glycemic outcomes. We recommend the use of the computerized Atlanta protocol in CCU rather than JBDS for Inpatient Care Protocol whenever this is feasible.