Fig. 1

Enrollment and randomization. Reasons for ineligibility and non-inclusion of eligible patients are listed. Ultimately, 35 patients per randomization group completed the study protocol, hence 70 patients in total. *Vital organ support was defined as dependency on mechanical ventilation and mechanical and/or pharmacological hemodynamic support. **Medical reasons include high glucose need to treat hypernatremia (n = 2) or multiple hypoglycemic episodes between randomization and start of the protocol (n = 1). ICU, intensive care unit; RCT, randomized controlled trial; DNR, do not resuscitate