Warning about Medtronic insulin pump accuracy during air travel
Medtronic has issued a warning about the accuracy of insulin pump delivery during changes in air pressure, most notably during takeoff and landing in an aeroplane.
Products covered by the alert include the MiniMed Paradigm, MiniMed 600 series and MiniMed 700 series insulin pumps.
Recent testing has shown that changes in atmospheric pressure can sometimes cause unintended insulin delivery. For example, pressure in an airplane can change rapidly during a flight. This may cause expansion of air bubbles inside the reservoir during takeoff and could result in more insulin being delivered.
The unintended insulin may be released even if the pump's delivery is suspended or programmed to zero units per hour.
There could also be compression of air bubbles when air pressure increases (during flight landing). This could result in less insulin being delivered.
Medtronic urges people using these devices to monitor glucose levels often during air travel.
People with lower daily insulin doses and those with high insulin sensitivity may experience greater changes in glucose during changes in air pressure.
Medtronic has issued this warning in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
You can reach the Medtronic 24-Hour Technical Support line at 1800-777 808.
Diabetes Victoria also recommends chatting with your diabetes health professional team if you have concerns.
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