The Association of Anaesthetists [1] recently published a study entitled ‘Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid-warming devices’, which highlighted the risk of aluminium absorption from uncoated fluid warming devices. The 37Company’s Fluido® Compact blood and fluid warmer, available in the UK from Central Medical Supplies (CMS), is a coated device. The Association of Anaesthetists study concludes: “Coating for aluminium within medical devices in direct contact with infusion fluids should be recommended.”
The Association of Anaesthetists study evaluated two fluid warming systems, one uncoated and one coated. The study found that potentially unacceptably high levels of aluminium are created when fluids are passed through an uncoated warming device. Following the study, the Association of Anaesthetists recommends all aluminium components of fluid warming systems that are in direct contact with infusion fluids should be coated. Biocompatible coatings, such as Parylene, are used in some devices to avoid direct contact between aluminium and fluid. All aluminium parts of the Fluido® Compact system, which are in direct contact with the infusion and irrigation fluids, are Parylene coated, in line with the recommendations of the study.
The Fluido® Compact fluid warming device is an easy to use, accurate, safe and cost effective system for daily blood and fluid warming. The system rapidly warms fluids to the target temperature. Fluido® Compact has a one button operation and intuitive control panel, making it very easy to use. The disposable set comprises of a cassette, a 40 cm patient line and priming volume of 3 ml. The system provides accurate and safe warming, as it comes with embedded software for maximum patient safety through an independent control system and multiple temperature sensors. As it requires no maintenance, Fluido® Compact is also a very cost effective system.
The use of fluid warming systems is recommended to avoid peri-operative hypothermia. One of the contributing factors to unintended hypothermia is the intravenous (IV) delivery of cold fluids. Blood and fluid warming help maintain normothermia and contribute to a positive patient outcome. [2,3] Most fluid warming systems use aluminium to facilitate the heat transfer.
For more information on the Fluido® Compact system, along with other products offered by The 37Company, contact Tracey Pavier-Grant, Sales Director at Central Medical Supplies, on 01538 392 596 or email tracey@centralmedical.co.uk. More information is also available by visiting www.centralmedical.co.uk
References:
- 2019 Association of Anaesthetists. Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid-warming devices: T. Perl, N. Kunze-Szikszay, A. Bräuer, M. Quintel, A. L. Rӧhrig, K. Kerpen and U. Telgheder. Anaesthesia 2019; dai:10.1111/anae.1 4603
- Evans J.W., Singer M., Coppinger S.W. et al., Cardiovascular performance and core temperature during transurethral prostatectomy. J. Urol 1994; 152:2025-9
- ECRI Report, Warming Units, Blood/Solution, December 2002