Continuous Intravenous Infusion of Small Doses of Insulin in Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Issue 5921 (29th June 1974)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Semple, P. F.; White, C.; Manderson, W. G.
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 5921(1974)
• Page Start: 694
• Page End: 698
• Publication Date: 1974-06-29
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5921.694
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Continuous intravenous infusion of small amounts of insulin has been used in the management of a series of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. In 13 patients with a plasma glucose level on admission of 725 mg/100 ml (± 80 S.E. of mean) and an arterial pH of 7·07 ± 0·05 a mean loading dose of 6·5 ± 0·82 units of soluble insulin was administered intravenously, and thereafter a sustaining infusion of 6·5 ± 0·82 U/hr was continued until ketosis was corrected and the plasma glucose fell below 300 mg/100 ml. The total insulin dose needed to achieve this was 39·2 ± 6·6 units given over a 3 to 10-hour period. Plasma insulin was measured in patients who had not previously received insulin and the mean level at an infusion rate of 4 U/hr was 75·6 ± 8·0 μU/ml. Plasma glucose fell at a regular rate of 101 ± 11 mg/100 ml/hr, and ketosis improved in parallel. Plasma potassium was well maintained throughout treatment. This regimen of treatment was clinically effective and simple to follow.