Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Mar 1995
Effect of infusion and withdrawl of glucose and insulin on gas exchange in injured ventilated patients.
To evaluate the effect induced on gas exchange and on urea excretion by glucose and insulin infusion in injured patients. The magnitude and time necessary for the full development of the metabolic effect were investigated. ⋯ The infusion of glucose and insulin, in an amount slightly lower than the metabolic expenditure, leads to a consistently reduced amino acid catabolism and to a decreased oxygen consumption, without affecting energy requirements. Although it leads to an increase of carbon dioxide production, the measured change is so small and slow that it is not harmful unless there is severe respiratory insufficiency.