New insulin pump feature prevents hypoglycemia

A new feature of Medtronicinsulin pumps was shown to reduce the time people with type 1 diabetes spent at low blood glucose levels by 20 per cent.
The ASPIRE (Automation to Simulate Pancreatic Insulin REsponse) study assessed the Low Glucose Suspend (LGS) feature of the MiniMed Paradigm System. The Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm Veo pumps include a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that can automatically detect low blood glucose levels. The Low Glucose Suspend feature responds to low blood glucose by stopping the pump from delivering insulin, allowing blood glucose levels to rise.
The LGS feature could a very useful way to prevent instances of severe hypoglycemia taking place. By stopping insulin being delivered, it prevents blood sugar levels dropping too far and becoming dangerous. The ability to stop insulin from being delivered when low could be particularly useful over night to prevent long bouts of hypoglycemia occurring.
Another positive aspect of the trial was that the LGS feature did not result in ‘rebound hyperglycemia’ which is when too high blood glucose levels follows a low blood glucose level. The LGS feature is available on Medtronic’s Paradigm Veo System, a combined insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, which is available in the UK.