Blood warmer in blood product transfusions

Q: Use of blood warmer is preferred during transfusion of all of the following blood products except? (select one)

A) RBC units 
B) Plasma products 
C) Cryoprecipitate 
D) Platelets 
E) C & D


Answer: E

Use of blood warmer is highly recommonded during transfusion of cold and previously thawed blood products including pRBC and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Transfusion without blood warmer may induce clinically significant hypothermia causing coagulopathy. Cryoprecipitate is required to be thawed to room temperature and does not requires blood warmer (choice C). Also, platelets are stored at room temperature and use of blood warmer is not necessary (choice D) 2.

#hematology



References: 

1. Madrid E, Urrútia G, Roqué i Figuls M, et al. Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 4:CD009016.

2. Konig G, Yazer MH, Waters JH. Stored platelet functionality is not decreased after warming with a fluid warmer. Anesth Analg 2013; 117:575.