Intensive Care Unit Insulin Delivery Algorithms: Why So Many? How to Choose?

Objective: Studies showing improved outcomes with tight glycemic control in the intensive care unit (ICU) have resulted in a substantial number of new insulin delivery algorithms being proposed. The present study highlights mechanisms used in the better-known approaches, examines what might be critical differences among them, and uses systems theory to characterize the conditions under which each can be expected to perform best. Methods: Algorithm dose (ΔI/ΔG) and step (response to a persistent elevation in glucose) response curves were calculated for written instruction algorithms, developed at the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute (Portland [P] protocol), the University of Washington (UW), and Yale University (Y), together with similar curves for the Glucommander (GM) and proportional integral derivative (PID) computer algorithms. From the simulated curves, different mechanisms used to adjust insulin delivery were identified. Results: All algorithms increased insulin delivery in response to persistent hyperglycemia, but the mechanism use