• Thomas G Poder, Denise Pruneau, Josée Dorval, Louis Thibault, Jean-François Fisette, Suzanne K Bédard, Annie Jacques, and Patrice Beauregard.
• UETMIS, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1G 2E8.
• Plos One. 2016 Jan 1; 11 (10): e0163429.

BackgroundBlood warmers were developed to reduce the risk of hypothermia associated with the infusion of cold blood products. During massive transfusion, these devices are used with compression sleeve, which induce a major stress to red blood cells. In this setting, the combination of blood warmer and compression sleeve could generate hemolysis and harm the patient. We conducted this study to compare the impact of different pressure rates on the hemolysis of packed red blood cells and on the outlet temperature when a blood warmer set at 41.5°C is used.MethodsPressure rates tested were 150 and 300 mmHg. Ten packed red blood cells units were provided by Héma-Québec and each unit was sequentially tested.ResultsWe found no increase in hemolysis either at 150 or 300 mmHg. By cons, we found that the blood warmer was not effective at warming the red blood cells at the specified temperature. At 150 mmHg, the outlet temperature reached 37.1°C and at 300 mmHg, the temperature was 33.7°C.ConclusionTo use a blood warmer set at 41.5°C in conjunction with a compression sleeve at 150 or 300 mmHg does not generate hemolysis. At 300 mmHg a blood warmer set at 41.5°C does not totally avoid a risk of hypothermia.

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