The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of five commercia
lly available devices utilizing a variety of heat exchange technologie
s to deliver normothermic (37 degrees C) fluids. Conditions of slow (6
.5 mL/min), moderate (13-25 mL/min), and rapid (gravity and pressure d
riven flows, roller clamp wide open) infusion were simulated. Fluid te
mperatures were measured using rapid response thermistors after the fl
uid exited the heat exchanger (T outlet) and before delivery to the pa
tient intravenously (IV) (T distal). Devices tested were the FW537, H1
000, Hotline(TM), BairHugger(R), and Flotem lie. Fluids tested were cr
ystalloid at room temperature and red cells diluted with saline (11-19
degrees C). At slow and moderate flows, T distal of crystalloid was b
etween 35.3 and 37.9 degrees C for Hotline(TM) at 42 degrees C, 33.8 a
nd 37.7 degrees C for H1000 at 42 degrees C, 29.4 and 34.2 degrees C f
or BairHugger(R), 26.1 and 31.5 for Flotem IIe, and 23.8 and 32.1 for
FW537 at 42 degrees C. With gravity and pressure driven flows, T dista
l of crystalloid were 39.0 and 38.9 for H1000 at 42 degrees C, 38.7 an
d 38.4 degrees C for FW537 at 42 degrees C, 34.7 and 28.9 degrees C fo
r Hotline(TM) at 42 degrees C, 29.2 and 24.2 degrees C for BairHugger(
R), and 29.7 and 24.2 degrees C for Flotem. In conclusion, only the H1
000 at 42 degrees C was effective at delivering normothermic fluids at
all clinically relevant flow rates. The Hotline(TM) at 42 degrees C w
as effective at slow and moderate flow, whereas the FW537 was effectiv
e only at rapid flow.