High admission blood glucose levels after acute myocardial infarction are common and are associated with an increased risk of death in subjects with and without diabetes. In this review, the possible toxic action of acute hyperglycaemia is discussed in order to explain the worse prognosis in subjects with myocardial infarction and concomitant hyperglycaemia. The possible usefulness of intensive insulin treatment is also discussed.
Department of Pathology and Medicine, Experimental and Clinical, University of Udine, P. le S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy. ceriello@uniud.it
