The IMMEDIATE Trial, studying the effect of intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) versus intravenous glucose placebo (an inactive substance) in patients with a suspected lack of blood supply to the heart, given in the out-of-hospital setting by emergency medical services (EMS), has been completed in Milwaukee County.
About the research
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and took place between December 2006 and July 2008. Researchers and physicians studied a total of 911 patients treated by 36 EMS agencies located in 13 US cities and metropolitan areas. Milwaukee County was one of the study sites where Milwaukee County EMS and the Medical College of Wisconsin performed this research.
Of the 911 patients enrolled nationwide, 59 were enrolled in Milwaukee County between February 2007 and July 2008. The average age of patients in this group was 62 years. 43 patients were male (73%) and 16 were female (27%). 36 patients were Caucasian (61%), 20 were African American (34%), 1 was Native American (2%), and 2 were unreported race (3%). 1 patient was Hispanic (2%).
Study results
Among patients with a suspected lack of blood supply to the heart, out-of-hospital treatment with intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK), compared with glucose placebo, did not reduce progression to a heart attack or improve 30-day survival. Out-of-hospital treatment with intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) was associated with lower rates of the combined outcome of either in-hospital death or out-of-hospital or in-hospital cardiac arrest (a condition where the heart does not pump blood).
The information gathered in this trial will help us develop the best treatments to improve outcomes for patients suffering a suspected lack of blood supply to the heart. For additional Information, please contact Dr. Tom Aufderheide by phone at (414) 805-6493 or by email at RRC@mcw.edu.
