Myocardial protection by glucose-insulin-potassium in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing urgent multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this randomized and controlled trial was to investigate the effect of a glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution on myocardial protection in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing urgent multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.

METHODS

Sixty-six patients were randomly allocated either to receive 0.3 ml kg(-1) h(-2) GIK solution (potassium 80 mEq and regular insulin 325 IU in 500 ml of 50% glucose) or equivalent volume of normal saline (control) upon anaesthetic induction until 6 h after reperfusion. The primary endpoints were to compare the concentrations of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin-T between the groups after reperfusion. The secondary endpoints were to compare the incidences of postoperative troponin-T >0.8 ng ml(-1) and myocardial infarction (MI) between the groups.

RESULTS

Highest CK-MB [8.7 (4.4) vs 13.1 (7.9) ng ml(-1), P=0.006] and troponin-T [0.20 (0.13-0.49) vs 0.48 (0.18-0.91) ng ml(-1), P<0.0001] values after reperfusion were significantly lower in the GIK group compared with the control group. The area under the curve of serially measured troponin-T was also significantly smaller in the GIK group compared with the control group [0.83 (0.43-1.81) vs 0.46 (0.31-1.00), P=0.036]. Significantly fewer patients in the GIK group showed troponin-T >0.8 ng ml(-1) after reperfusion compared with the control group (3 vs 11, P=0.033). The incidence of postoperative MI was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

GIK administration in ACS patients undergoing urgent multivessel OPCAB significantly attenuated the degree of ensuing myocardial injury without complications related to glycaemic control. Clinical Trial Registry. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01384656?term=GIK+AND+OPCAB&rank=1. Unique identification number NCT01384656.