The use of MiniMed CGMS in real-time glucose monitoring

A study was conducted to examine the use of the MiniMed(R) Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) to measure blood sugar level (BSL) in real-time. Eight patients participated in the study after informed consent was obtained. When more than a 3 mmol/L deviation occurred between CGMS reading and BSL as determined by conventional blood glucose meter using blood sample drawn from an arterial line, CGMS was re-calibrated, and "regression calibration" was applied to better estimate the real-time BSL. The mean difference between the CGMS and Meter BSL readings was found to be -0.2 ±5.3 mmol/L (Mean±1.96×Standard Deviation). Clarke\´s Error grid analysis showed that 64.6% of the CGMS BSL readings were clinically accurate (i.e. <20% deviation from Meter BSL) while 30.9% were clinically acceptable. A calibration technique suitable for use in estimating BSL in real-time is needed to make CGMS useful in clinical situations.