Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis with a computer-controlled bedside monitoring and infusion system.

A metabolic monitoring system is described that allows the simultaneous and automatic in vivo analysis of the metabolic parameters glucose, pH, and pCO2 as well as the computer-controlled automation of the possible necessary infusion therapy. This bedside system has proved to be useful in treating acidotically and non-acidotically decompensated diabetes mellitus. Our experience with this system is as follows: 1. quick correction of the acidosis without danger of alkalosis, 2. shorter period of treatment, 3. considerably reduced insulin requirement, 4. no danger of hypoglycemia, and 5. minimum net blood withdrawal (1.2 ml/h). The efficiency of this system is demonstrated by examples.