COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF BLOOD AND INFUSION WARMERS AT DIFFERENT FLOW-RATES

Background: Transfusions of refrigerator-temperature blood, particularly when given very quickly, may induce severe hypothermia. In Germany, blood warmers used to avoid this danger mainly operate with dry heat. Material and Methods: In the current study we compared the Fenwal BW-5 (Travenol), the Biotest BW 385 and BW 385L (Biegler) and the DW 1220 (American Pharmaseal) at different flow rates of packed cells and Ringer Lactate solution, respectively. Results: Up to now rates of about 30 ml/min higher transfusion temperatures were reached by the Biotest BW 385L than by other warmers. Above flow rates of about 60 up to about 100 ml/min only the Fenwal BW-5 reached a transfusion temperature higher than 30 degrees C. Conclusions: For routine transfusions and infusions the Biotest BW 385L is the most suitable warmer. If a massive transfusion is necessary, it is recommendable to use two or three Fenwal BW-5 or to apply other technologies.