Tight Glycemic Control Increases Cardiac Stem Cells During Acute Myocardial Infarction

In the CGC group, continuous insulin infusion was started only when blood glucose levels exceeded 200 mg/dl and adjusted to keep blood glucose between 180 and 200 mg/dl. When blood glucose fell \<180 mg/dl, insulin infusion was tapered slowed down and eventually stopped. In the IGC group, insulin infusion was started when blood glucose levels exceeded 140 mg/dl and adjusted to maintain glycemia at 80-140 mg/dl. After the start of insulin infusion protocol a glycemic control was provided every hour in order to obtain three consecutive values that were within the goal range. Plasma glucose levels were checked every two hours in both CGC and IGT patients throughout the study period. The infusion lasted until stable glycemic goal (ICG group: 80-140 mg/dl; CGC group: 180-200 mg/dl) at least for 24 h. Subcutaneous insulin was initiated at the cessation of the infusion. Insulin was given as short-acting insulin before meals and intermediate long-acting insulin in the evening, in both group.