Acute Insulin Resistance Assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment in Acute Coronary Syndromes Without Previously Known Diabetes

We assessed the incidence and the prognostic role for early death of acute insulin resistance (by means of homeostatic model assessment [HOMA] index) in 1350 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) consecutively admitted to our intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU). The incidence of HOMA positivity was 5% (68 of 1350), with the highest percentage of HOMA positivity among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with HOMA positivity showed a higher body mass index (P = .003), lower values of admission and discharge left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; P < .001 and P = .003, respectively), and higher levels of peak troponin I (Tn I; P < .001). The HOMA index was an independent predictor of early death (odds ratio 1.724, 95% confidence interval 1.252-2.375, P = .001). In patients with ACS and without previously known diabetes, acute insulin resistance (HOMA index) is associated with a larger myocardial damage (ie, higher values of peak Tn I and lower LVEF) and a greater inflammatory activation (indicated by correlation with leukocyte count). The HOMA positivity was an independent predictor of in-ICCU mortality.