Intensive Insulin Therapy in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract
Van den Berghe and colleagues (Nov. 8 issue)1 report that intensive insulin therapy reduces mortality and morbidity among patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit. Both the authors and Evans,2 in the accompanying editorial, suggest that strict control of glycemia is the principal factor contributing to the improved outcomes reported. However, insulin might have had a role independent of its effect on glycemia.