This rise was significant in the two groups 30 min after starting CPB (+15 and +39 percent, respectively) and at the end of CPB (+ 46 and + 48 percent, respectively). At the end of surgery and before administration of dextrose, blood glucose levels were 19 percent higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.02).
Postoperatively, after administration of dextrose 125 mg/kg over 1 h, blood glucose increased additionally by 18 and 22 percent, respectively, and reached similar values in group 1 and group 2 (244 ±47 and 213 ±46 mg/dl, respectively). However, after administration of dextrose, 375 mg/kg over 3 h, blood glucose increased more in group 1 than in group 2 and reached 271 ±30 mg/dl and 221 ±51 mg/dl, respectively (p<0.01). The lowest blood glucose concentration was 108 mg/dl and was found before induction of anesthesia.
Insulin
In group 1, the plasma insulin concentration decreased by 44 and 60 percent 15 and 30 min, respectively, after starting hypothermic CPB (Fig 1). During rewarming the insulin level increased dramatically ( + 374 percent). At the end of surgery and at the first postoperative hour, the insulin level returned to control values and presented a second peak at the third postoperative hour. In group 2, no significant change occurred throughout the study period.