A simple and accurate automated system for continuous long-term metabolic studies during artificial ventilation

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Abstract
Energy expenditure and the amount of metabolised carbohydrate, protein and lipid can be calculated from the O2 consumption, CO2 production and nitrogen excretion using indirect calorimetry. A low-cost automatic system has been developed suitable for short- and long-term measurements during artificial ventilation, in which the gas analysers were calibrated automatically every 10 min and in which the desired variables were calculated and printed every 5 min. O2 and CO2 concentrations of mixed expired and inspiratory gas, the expired minute volume VE, and patient's rectal temperature, were sampled at regular time intervals and a simple programmable calculator with printer was used for the on-line data analysis. Tests on accuracy, stability, reproducibility and feasibility showed this system to be suitable for clinical application.