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Evaluation of a New High-Efficiency Blood Warmer for Children

1990; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 73; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00000542-199007000-00024

1528-1175

Robert G. Presson, Kenneth A. Haselby, Alexander P. Bezruczko, E. Barnett,

Neonatal Health and Biochemistry

Because currently available blood warmers are inadequate for infants and children requiring massive transfusion, the performance of a new high-efficiency pediatric blood warmer (System 250TM, LEVEL 1 Technologies Inc., Marshfield, Massachusetts) was evaluated and compared with a commonly used conventional blood warmer (Model DW1000A, American Pharmaseal, Valencia, California). Cold (5-6 degrees C), diluted red blood cells (RBC) (Hct = 30%) were infused through the warmers over a series of flow rates, and the resulting temperatures of the infusate were measured. The flow rates of diluted packed RBC were also measured over a series of infusion pressures. At a flow rate of 225 ml/min, the output temperature of the System 250TM was 33.6 degrees C compared with 24.6 degrees C (P less than 0.05) for the conventional warmer. Above a flow rate of 250 ml/min, however, the water bath of the System 250TM cooled significantly, resulting in a deterioration of performance and an output temperature of only 24.2 degrees C at a flow rate of 400 ml/min. With a 16-G catheter attached, the flow rate at a pressure of 300 mmHg was 223 ml/min through the System 250TM compared with 160 ml/min (P less than 0.05) for the conventional warmer. The System 250TM produced higher output temperatures and a lower resistance to flow compared with the conventional warmer, but flow rates of cold blood through the System 250TM should be restricted to 250 ml/min or less to ensure adequate warming.