Fluid/Blood Warmers

Question 1

What are the methods in which IV fluids are warmed?

Answer 1

IV fluids may be warmed by countercurrent heat exchange, dry
heat exchange, fluid immersion, or by placing a part of the fluid
circuit close to a separate heater (warming blanket), however
this method is less effective.
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 230.

Question 2

List some of the risks associated with the use of fluid

warmers.

Answer 2

Infection, air embolism, pressurized infiltration, heat-induced
vessel injury and hemolysis, and the leakage of current into the
path of the fluid
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 231.

Question 3

The infusion of one liter of crystalloid or one unit of
refrigerated blood will decrease mean body
temperature to what extent?

Answer 3

For every one unit of refrigerated blood or liter of room
temperature crystalloid infused, mean body temperature
decreases by 0.25 degrees Celsius.
Dorsch JA, Dorsch SE. Understanding Anesthesia Equipment.
5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2008:
.
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 229.

Question 4

How is fluid warmed using the dry heat method?

Answer 4

Via a magnetic induction heater, metal blocks or plates, or
infrared lamps
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 230.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages to the use of simple

fluid warmers?

Answer 5

The infusion rate is limited to what can be achieved through
gravity and large amounts of air cannot be vented automatically.
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 230

Question 6

How do resuscitation fluid warmers differ from simple

fluid warmers?

Answer 6

Like simple fluid warmers, resuscitation fluid warmers contain a
thermostat and an electric heater, however, resuscitation fluid
warmers have the capacity to heat large volumes of fluid
infused at high rates. They also have the capacity to stop the
infusion of fluid when air is detected through the use of a control
system and air detector.
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 231.

Question 7

What are the disadvantages to the use of water

immersion heaters?

Answer 7

The risk for infection is greater with bath solutions, the ability to
warm fluids at high infusion rates is limited, there is an
increased lag time because of the time required to change the
temperature of the bath solution, they are harder to maintain.
Sandberg WS, Urman RD, Ehrenfield JM. The MGH Textbook
of Anesthetic Equipment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;
2011: 230.