What is the target blood glucose range in critically ill patients?

In critically ill patients, maintaining proper blood glucose levels is crucial for their recovery and overall health. Research and guidelines suggest that the target blood glucose range for these patients should be between 140 and 180 mg/dL. This range is considered optimal because it strikes a balance between minimizing the risks associated with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) while avoiding the potential dangers of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can lead to serious complications.

The choice of this specific range is based on evidence indicating that stricter control (such as aiming for levels lower than 140 mg/dL) can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, especially in a critical care setting where patients may have altered metabolism and variable responses to insulin. Conversely, excessively high glucose levels have been associated with worse clinical outcomes, hence the rationale for avoiding levels higher than 180 mg/dL.

The target range emphasizes the importance of careful monitoring and management of blood glucose levels in critically ill patients to support their physiological needs and enhance recovery while mitigating potential risks.