Monitoring blood sugar and blood flow to improve stroke outcome

Elevated blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) is common after stroke and increases the likelihood of poor outcome. However, most previous studies have used single measurements of blood sugar taken 12 hours or more after the stroke.

With more frequent monitoring the researchers have found that 78 per cent of patients develop hyperglycaemia during the first 48 hours. Hyperglycaemia very early after stroke was predicted by underlying abnormal sugar metabolism, while later development of hyperglycaemia was related to stroke severity.

The researchers believe that the need for insulin treatment may differ between these early and late hyperglycaemia groups. Other studies suggest that early hyperglycaemia may be harmful only in patients with particular patterns of brain blood flow, particularly if blood supply is restored quickly.

In this study patients will be studied using CT scanning techniques, to show blood flow and blood vessels, and their blood sugar will be regularly monitored, in order to improve the identification of patients at risk from hyperglycaemia.

Scientific Title: Pathophysiology of acute post stroke hyperglycaemia in relation to brain perfusion and arterial patency

Classification:
Acute Stroke Services; Imaging

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