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Why Warm?

Stop Unintended Hypothermia Before it Begins

Unintended hypothermia is largely the result of anesthesia-induced redistribution of body heat that occurs during the first hour after anesthesia induction. Fortunately unintended hypothermia can be prevented, and prevention is most effective when the warming begins in pre-op.

Actively warming surgical patients before the induction of anesthesia – known as prewarming – is an effective way to help prevent intraoperative hypothermia. Forced-air warming is an active method of prewarming.

Chart adapted from: Sessler DI, Perioperative Heat Balance. Anesthesiology, V92, No. 2, Feb 2000.

Characteristic Patterns of General Anesthesia Induced Hypothermia

Characteristic Patterns of General Anesthesia Induced Hypothermia


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  1. Sessler, DI. Current Concepts: Mild Perioperative Hypothermia. New England Journal of Medicine. 336(24):1730-1737. 1997.