Perioperative challenges in management of diabetic patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

Abstract

Prediabetes and diabetes are important disease processes which have several perioperative implications. About one third of the United States population is considered to have prediabetes. The prevalence in surgical patients is even higher. This is due to the associated micro and macrovascular complications of diabetes that result in the need for subsequent surgical procedures. A careful preoperative evaluation of diabetic patients and patients at risk for prediabetes is essential to reduce perioperative mortality and morbidity. This preoperative evaluation involves an optimization of preoperative comorbidities. It also includes optimization of antidiabetic medication regimens, as the avoidance of unintentional hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes during the perioperative period is crucial. The focus of the perioperative management is to ensure euglycemia and thus improve postoperative outcomes. Therefore, prolonged preoperative fasting should be avoided and close monitoring of blood glucose should be initiated and continued throughout surgery. This can be accomplished with either analysis in blood gas samples, venous phlebotomy or point-of-care testing. Although capillary and arterial whole blood glucose do not meet standard guidelines for glucose testing, they can still be used to guide insulin dosing in the operating room. Intraoperative glycemic control goals may vary slightly in different protocols but overall the guidelines suggest a glucose range in the operating room should be between 140 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL. When hyperglycemia is detected in the operating room, blood glucose management may be initiated with subcutaneous rapid-acting insulin, with intravenous infusion or boluses of regular insulin. Fluid and electrolyte management are other perioperative challenges. Notably diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic state are the two most serious acute metabolic complications of diabetes that must be recognized early and treated.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Perioperative management; Insulin; Hyperglycaemia; Anaesthesia; Surgery

Core Tip: Diabetes is a common endocrine condition with multiple organ system involvement. Careful preoperative assessment and perioperative management is crucial in preventing perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes presenting for surgery. The focus of preoperative risk assessment should be to assess and optimize the level of glycemic control, as well as identification of possible systemic comorbidities. Intraoperatively the focus is to ensure euglycemia, prevent metabolic and electrolyte derangements and maintain adequate organ perfusion. Postoperatively patients should be transitioned back to their home regimen once adequate oral intake is established.