Effect of intravenous insulin infusion on mortality among diabetic patients after myocardial infarction.

A review of the records of 353 diabetic patients after a myocardial infarction confirmed the high mortality associated with the condition. The influence of improved diabetic control achieved by intravenous insulin was assessed in 64 patients and compared with earlier experience in a diabetic control group. The frequency of the major complications of myocardial infarction was unchanged and the death rate in both groups was identical (33%); even the patients with blood glucose concentrations greater than 20 mmol/l on admission failed to benefit. Thus careful control of blood glucose concentrations after myocardial infarction in diabetic patients fails to improve the outcome of this high risk group.