Improving Neurologic Outcomes in People With Diabetes Who Are Undergoing Heart Surgery

People with diabetes who undergo heart surgery have a greater risk of experiencing a stroke and developing cognitive functioning problems than people without diabetes who undergo heart surgery. There may be a connection between disturbances in glucose metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, and poor neurological outcomes after heart surgery. People with diabetes who receive more intensive blood glucose management during and after heart surgery may have better neurological outcomes than people who control their blood glucose levels in a standard way. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using a traditional method of controlling blood glucose levels versus a tailored, more intensive method of glucose control on neurological outcomes in people with diabetes who are undergoing heart surgery. Researchers will also examine genetic factors that may be associated with insulin resistance and inflammation.

This study will enroll people undergoing heart surgery. On the day before surgery, participants will undergo a blood collection and neuropsychological testing. They will then be randomly assigned to either a traditional method of blood glucose control or an intensive, tailored method of blood glucose control. Participants following the traditional method of blood glucose control may receive insulin several times a day, based on the results of glucose monitoring. Participants following the intensive, tailored method of blood glucose control will undergo hourly measurements of their glucose levels and receive insulin adjustments as needed to maintain a glucose level of 100-140 mg/dL. During surgery, all participants will undergo an ultrasound of their neck to monitor blood vessel activity. Additional blood samples will be collected during surgery, 6 hours after surgery, 24 hours after surgery, and upon hospital discharge or 5 days after surgery.

One week after surgery or just before leaving the hospital, participants will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure and neuropsychological testing. Before leaving the hospital, participants will take part in a diabetes education session and nutrition counseling. Three to 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery, participants will undergo repeat neuropsychological testing. Once a month for 6 months, participants who received the intensive, tailored method of blood glucose control will attend study visits at which time study researchers will monitor their diabetes.

Inclusion criteria

• History of diabetes, elevated fasting blood glucose, elevated hemoglobin A1c, or elevation of these variables during the current hospital admission
• Scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
• Scheduled to undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR), mitral valve replacement (MVR), or both
• Scheduled to undergo valve replacement with CABG

Exclusion criteria

• Undergoing emergent (i.e., urgent) procedures
• Alzheimer's disease or similar dementias
• Severe claustrophobia
• Kidney insufficiency, as defined by serum creatine levels greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• Cannot be expected to complete neuropsychological testing
• Recent extensive, life threatening acute myocardial infarction (AMI)