Preoperative Optimization of Diabetic Patients

Plain-language summary

Diabetic patients, as part of preoperative evaluation, should have glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) measured. HbA1C provides information on longterm glucose control. There is a suggestion in the literature that elevated A1C levels predict a higher rate of postoperative adverse events, including infections, myocardial infarction, and mortality. It is unclear whether chronic glycemia, as reflected in raised HbA1C level, is the risk factor for adverse perioperative events or whether it is a surrogate measure for poor perioperative glucose management. Conversely, in a retrospective analysis of 431,480 surgeries perioperative glucose was predictive of increased 30-day mortality, but that HbA1C was a less useful predictor of this measure. In our experience of at the University of Alberta Preadmission Clinic there is significant variability with respect to whether diabetic patients have a valid HbA1C measurement i.e. within 3 months of surgery. If a valid measurement is present, there is also considerable variability with respect to diabetes control.

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