Dynamic observations of blood sugar and insulin levels with low-dose insulin infusion
Jing, Q.Y.; Liu, Z.D.; Yang, Y.Q.; Shan, C.Y.; Wang, D.B.; Jiang, Y.M.
Chinese Medical Journal 95(12): 915-920
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 6819935 Document Number: 186482
Blood sugar and insulin were measured serially before and during slow continuous insulin infusion for 4 h in moderate uncontrolled diabetes mellitus . Soluble insulin was added directly to the infusion containing 5% glucose in isotonic saline (GS group, 21 cases) and 0.9% NaCl solution (NS group, 17 cases) at 3 U/h. Blood sugar dropped gradually within 4 h with insulin infusion. The mean blood sugar concentration fall per h was 45 mg% in the GS group and 47 mg% in the NS group. Plasma insulin averaged 120.9 .mu.U/ml concentration. Insulin i.v. infusion should be 3 U/h to control adult diabetic ketoacidosis. There is no need to add albumin as small insulin doses are added directly to the i.v. infusion bottles. Meticulous clinical observation and repeated blood sugar measurements in each patient are necessary to regulate the insulin and glucose doses to avoid hypoglycemia.