Short-term Hyperglycemia in Surgical Patients and a Study of Related Cellular Mechanisms

Abstract

Both short-term hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are associated with significantly decreased monocyte HLA-DR expression, a parameter correlating with infectious complications and patient mortality. This may provide a mechanism by which high glucose and insulin impair innate immunity. It also appears that perioperative maintenance of normoglycemia will become a valid performance measure for practicing surgical specialists.