GIK Treatment Benefits Heart Attack Patients

Intake of glucose, insulin and potassium (GIK) reduces chances of cardiac death in patients with acute coronary syndrome, shows study. Over the first month following the event, patients who received GIK were 40 percent less likely to have cardiac arrest, die or be hospitalised for heart failure.

"When started immediately in the home or on the way to the hospital -- even before the diagnosis is completely established -- GIK appears to reduce the size of heart attacks and to reduce by half the risk of having a cardiac arrest or dying," said Harry P. Selker.

Selker is executive director of the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Centre. He led the study with Joni Beshansky, co-principal investigator and project director, according to a Tufts statement.

The effect was even more striking for patients with ST-elevation heart attacks, which involves the complete blockage of coronory artery by a blood clot, requiring immediate treatment. GIK lowered the risk of heart attack or death by 60 percent.

These findings were presented on Tuesday at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.

Source-IANS