Hourly measurements not required for safe and effective glycemic control in the critically ill patient

authors describe the excellent results of a com puterized insulin dosing algorithm (Clarian GlucoStabilizer™) [1]. To prevent hypoglycemia, however, the authors note that frequent (that is, hourly) measurements are required. We believe that, with an adequate algorithm, the required level of glucose control can be reached without hourly glucose measurements. We implemented the glucose regulation for intensive care patients (GRIP) computer-assisted glucose regulation program, which uses time-variant sampling intervals [2]. In a recent analysis, hypoglycemia rates were comparable with or lower than those described by Juneja and colleagues [3]. Most importantly, these rates were achieved with only 5.6 measurements per patient per day. In all fairness it must be said that GRIP aimed at (and achieved) levels of 4.0 to 7.5 mmol/l, which is not as tight and challenging as the GlucoStabilizer™ target of 4.4 to 6.1 mmol/l. Nevertheless, it is our convic tion that an up to fi vefold higher glucose sampling rate cannot be justifi ed by current evidence on glucose control. Finally, we would like to note that two main approaches for designing computer control of glucose levels exist: model predictive control, and proportional-integral deri-va tive [4]. Th e underlying algorithm of GRIP is not model predictive control, as mistakenly stated in the article by Juneja and colleagues [1], but proportional-integral derivative. In fact, the algorithm of Juneja and colleagues also appears to be proportional-integral derivative. To achieve eff ective and safe computerized glucose control, therefore, it is not necessary to perform hourly measurements, provided a realistic target and an adequate algorithm with a time-variant sampling rate are used. Abbreviations GRIP = glucose regulation for intensive care patients. Competing interests The work of EV on glucose regulation in the intensive care unit is supported by the Netherlands Science Organization through the national cluster Non-linear Dynamics of Natural Systems. MH, MV and MWN declare that they have no competing interests; in particular not with regard to GRIP, which is an open source application. Abad VJ, Flanders SJ: Computerized intensive insulin dosing can mitigate hypoglycemia and achieve tight glycemic control when glucose measurement is performed and on time. Low incidence of hypoglycaemia with computer-assisted glucose in intensive care patients [abstract]. assessment review: computerized glucose regulation in the intensive care unit – how to create artifi cial control. Cite this article as: Hoekstra M, et al.: Hourly measurements not required for safe and eff ective glycemic control in the critically …