The aims of these studies are:
- To design and to validate an automatic instrument for the measurement
of oxygen consumption (Vo,), carbon dioxide production (Vco,) and
respiratory quotient (R.Q.) (Appendix I). -
- To assess the influence of artifacts in metabolic gas-exchange recordings
due to patient-ventilator disconnections and to validate a new method
for automatic detection and suppression of these artifacts (Appendix II).
- To survey the disturbing influences of several clinical circumstances
(especially of acetate hemodialysis) on metabolic gas-exchange measurements
(Appendix III).
- To quantify the stochastic and systematic errors, which are introduced
when diurnal values of Vo,, Vco, and R.Q. are extrapolated from short
recording periods (Chapter 5).
- To analyze the systematic influence of a possible diurnal rhythm in gasexchange
on such extrapolations (Chapter 5).
- To determine the discrepancy between (Chapter 6):
a. Basal Energy Expenditure (= BEE; i.e. the energy expenditure under
basal conditions) calculated by means of the anthropometric uncorrected
Harris-Benedict formula and Total Energy Expenditure (=
TEE) measured by means of continuous indirect calorimetry;
b. TEE calculated by means of the corrected Harris-Benedict formula
and continuously measured TEE;
c. intermittently measured TEE and continuously measured TEE.
- To analyze to what extent a standard nutritional regimen leads to hypoor
hyperalimentation and to determine whether a tailored caloric supply
based on anthropometric data gives a better match to energy expenditure
than a standard supply (Chapter 7).
- To determine whether Vo, -indices of survivors are different from those of
nonsurvivors and to analyze whether the potency of a frequently used system to predict the patient's ultimate outcome (SAPS) can be improved
by addition of Vo2-index as a supplemental physiological variable
(Chapter 8).
- To survey the present nutritional, mechanical and pharmacological
methods to reduce metabolic rate (Chapter 9)