Aluminium Release and Fluid Warming: Provocational Setting and Devices at Risk

Abstract

\n BACKGROUND: Fluid warming, recommended for fluid rates of > 500 ml h-1, is an integral part of patient temperature management strategies. Fluid warming devices using an uncoated aluminum containing heating element have been reported to liberate aluminum resulting in critical aluminum concentrations in heated fluids. We investigated saline solution (0.9%), artificially spiked with organic acids to determine the influence of fluid composition on aluminum liberation using the uncoated enFlow® device. Additionally the Level1® as a high volume fluid warming device and the ThermoSens® device were investigated. RESULTS: Saline solution spiked with lactate more than acetate, especially at a non acid pH, led to high aluminum liberation. Next to the enFlow® device, aluminum liberation was observed for the Level1® device, but not for the coated TermoSens®-device. CONCLUSION: Uncoated aluminum containing fluid warming devices lead to potential toxic levels of aluminum in heated fluids, especially in non acid fluids containing organic acids and their salts.