RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although single dose and short-term glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusions are known to have positive cardiac effects, the effects of repeated and long-term GIK infusion on left ventricular (LV) systolic function and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of repeated and long-term GIK infusion on LV systolic function and BNP levels. METHODS: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with ischemic cardiomyopathy were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: the GIK group (n=19) and the control group (n=14). GIK solutions (1000 mL 20% dextrose, 60 U insulin and 50 mmol/L KCl) were administered at 1 mL/kg/h for 24 h on the first, third and fifth days. The patients were examined by echocardiography at 24 h, one week and one month after the start of treatment. BNP levels were measured before and after GIK infusion. RESULTS: In the GIK group, baseline ejection fraction (EF) was 29.2+/-10.3%. After one week, EF elevated to 40.8+/-10.8% (P=0.001). The EF after one month (37.1+/-10.9%) was less than the EF in the first week, but it was significantly higher than baseline in the GIK group (P=0.01). However, no significant changes in EF were observed after one week and one month in the control group (P=0.1 and P=0.2, respectively). BNP levels after GIK infusion was significantly lower than baseline level in the GIK group (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Intermittent and long-term GIK infusion has beneficial effects on LV systolic function in a short and intermediate amount of time. Decrease in BNP levels may indicate effective GIK treatment. Intermittent and long-term GIK infusion could be a promising treatment option in patients with systolic heart failure.