Automated Interruption of Insulin-Pump Therapy to Avoid Hypoglycemia

Sensor-augmented insulin pumps combine subcutaneous insulin delivery with continuous glucose monitoring (through a small probe inserted under the skin); glucose levels are displayed on a screen on the pump. Now, researchers have examined a new feature called “threshold-suspend,” in which the pump is programmed to interrupt insulin delivery when the glucose level dips below a specified threshold. The goal is to prevent hypoglycemia.

This industry-sponsored study involved 247 adults with type 1 diabetes (mean age, 43; mean baseline glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA_1c] level, 7.2%) who were experienced insulin-pump users. Patients were randomized to use sensor-augmented pumps with or without the threshold-suspend feature, which interrupted insulin d…