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Rewarming of healthy volunteers after induced mild hypothermia: a healthy volunteer study

¹ Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand
² Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation, Auckland, New Zealand
³ Centre for Clinical Research and Effective Practice, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr A B Williams
Middlemore Hospital, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Private Bag 93311, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand; twilliams{at}middlemore.co.nz

Objectives: The study compares the efficacy of two active and one passive warming interventions in healthy volunteers with induced mild hypothermia.

Methods: Eight volunteers were studied in a random order crossover design. Each volunteer was studied during re-warming from a core temperature of 35°C with each of: a radiant warmer (Fisher & Paykel); a forced air warmer (Augustine Medical), and a polyester filled blanket, to re-warm.

Results: No significant differences in re-warming rates were observed between the three warming devices. It was found that the subject’s endogenous heat production was the major contributor to the re-warming of these volunteers. Metabolic rates of over 350 W were seen during the study.

Conclusions: For patients with mild hypothermia and in whom shivering is not contraindicated our data would indicate that the rate of re-warming would be little different whether a blanket or one of the two active devices were used. In the field, this may provide the caregiver a useful choice.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index

Keywords: hypothermia; patient warming; radiant heating

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