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

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.