Emergency prehospital treatment of severe hypoglycemia in the Copenhagen Municipality. A retrospective analysis of 180 episodes
Sprehn, M.; Pedersen, C.B.; Sørensen, M.B.; Bendtson, I.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 154(16): 1101-1104
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 1523718 Document Number: 397940
A retrospective study concerning prehospital treatment of 180 consecutive patients with severe hypoglycaemia, treated by the Mobile intensive care unit (MICU) in Copenhagen was performed. A total of 113 (63%) were male. Of these 104 patients had blood-glucose concentrations less than 2 mmol/l. Eleven patients had blood-glucose concentrations between 2 and 4 mmol/l. After treatment with 50% glucose solution: (25-50 ml I.V.), 131 patients could remain at home. During the 24 hour period after the initial event, two patients needed a second treatment by the mobile intensive care unit on account of secondary hypoglycaemia. Four further patients were admitted to hospital; none of these suffered secondary hypoglycaemic events. One case was registered as "life-saving" on account of treatment of severe airway obstruction. It seems that prehospital treatment of severe hypoglycaemia is beneficial mainly because transportation of delirious, abusive patients can be avoided and the workload of emergency-rooms can be reduced. 69% of patients suffering a severe hypoglycaemic event, were treated prehospitally without subsequent transportation to hospital.