Background: Postoperative hypothermia is stressful and elevates blood pressure and heart rate. This study evaluated the effects of warming IV fluids on the perioperative hemodynamic situation.
Methods: Perioperative hemodynamic parameters were measured in 60 patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the temperature of intraoperative IV fluids.
Results: Core and skin temperature of the two groups decreased during surgery but reduced more in the hypothermic group (p < 0.005). Postoperative mean arterial blood pressure increased more in the hypothermic group versus normothermic group (p < 0.005). Shivering was observed in 21 of 30 hypothermic and 11 of 30 normothermic group (p < 0.005) and recovery time was lower in normothermic group (36 ± 5 vs. 26 ± 3 min, p < 0.005).
Conclusion: Warming of intraoperative IV fluids reduces perioperative changes in hemodynamic parameters.
