Hyperglycemia during acute myocardial infarction in patients who are treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Impact on long-term prognosis

Background Transient hyperglycemia is common during acute myocardial infarction in non-diabetic patients and is associated with a worse outcome. There is limited data on the outcome of patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention and have transient hyperglycemia. Methods Fasting plasma glucose was measured in 431 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary interventions. Patients were classified into three groups: non-diabetics/non-hyperglycemic (NDNH, glucose < 126 mg/dL; n = 224); non-diabetics/hyperglycemic (NDH, glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL; n = 119); and diabetics (n = 88). Data were analyzed according to the different groups and according to exact glucose levels. Results In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in NDNH (1%) compared to NDH (8%) and diabetic (5%) patients (p = 0.01). One-year cumulative mortality was highest (10%) in patients with NDH (p < 0.001). One year target lesion revascularization rates were identical in NDNH and NDH patients (6% vs. 8%) and higher in diabetic patients (19%, p = 0.001). In a multivariate model, a striking increase in the risk of death (0.6%, p = 0.05) and target lesion revascularization (2%, p < 0.0001) was found for every increment of 1 mg/dL in glucose level. Conclusions Transient hyperglycemia in non-diabetic acute myocardial infarction patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary interventions is associated with high one-year mortality. One year target lesion revascularization rates were significantly higher in diabetics compared to non-diabetics with normoglycemia or transient hyperglycemia.