Continuous Arteriovenous Rewarming: Report of a New Technique for Treating Hypothermia

Abstract

Survival is rare after major trauma if core temperature falls below 32°C. Available rewarming methods are often ineffective. We utilized arterial and venous catheters to create a circulatory fistula through the heating mechanism of a modified commercially available counter-current fluid warmer to achieve simple, rapid extracorporeal rewarming.