Authors: Rodriguez-Patarroyo FA et al.
Anesthesiology 143(6):1497–1503, December 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005730
Summary
This randomized crossover study evaluated the effectiveness of five full-body forced-air warming systems in preventing heat loss in humans. Twenty healthy volunteers were each subjected to all five warming systems in random order, with a 30-minute warming period and a 45-minute washout between sessions. Continuous heat-flux measurements and skin-temperature recordings were used to assess heat transfer, and subjective thermal comfort was reported throughout.
Across all systems, cutaneous heat flux rapidly shifted from net heat loss at baseline to net heat gain within the first five minutes of warming (from –101 ± 53 W to +20 ± 48 W). Skin temperature rose steadily and reached a stable mean of approximately 35.5°C by 15 minutes. No statistically or clinically meaningful differences were found between the five systems in any primary measure: heat flux, mean skin temperature, or thermal comfort. All systems performed similarly and effectively.
The results indicate that commonly available full-body forced-air warming systems provide comparable heat transfer and user comfort, and any of them should be adequate to prevent perioperative hypothermia in most surgical patients.
Key Points
• All forced-air warming systems tested produced rapid and substantial heat transfer.
• Skin temperature increased quickly and stabilized around 35.5°C within 15 minutes.
• No meaningful differences existed between the five systems in warming performance.
• Any of the evaluated systems should be effective in preventing perioperative hypothermia.
Thank you for allowing us to use this article from Anesthesiology.