Review of Blood and Fluid Warming Methods

Abstract

Warming up blood and intravenous (IV) fluids is crucial to saving lives under certain circumstances as it may prevent hypothermia during the transfusion or infusion process. Several blood and IV fluids warming methods have been developed and studied over the past few decades. Such warming methods range from devices that use electrical energy (external or internal, i.e., using battery packs) to technologies that use chemical energy to generate heat. Additionally, improvised warming methods such as exposure to body heat are often used in lieu of electrical and nonelectrical warmers, especially in harsh and demanding environments such as in combat. The performance and efficacy of the various warming methods currently available vary greatly and a one-size-fits-all solution appears to be nonexistent. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the performance studies conducted on blood and IV fluids warming methods over the past few decades.