Why blood needs to be warmed
Blood needs to be warmed primarily because low temperatures can negatively affect the activity and stability of the blood. The normal body temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius, and blood may be exposed to low temperatures during transport, storage and use, such as refrigeration or freezing during transport. In these cases, cells and proteins in the blood may be damaged or inactivated, thereby affecting its effectiveness in treatment or testing.
In addition, heating may improve the flow of blood, thereby increasing the efficiency of transfusion. At low temperatures, the viscosity of the blood increases, making blood transfusion more difficult. Heating can make the blood more fluid, thus improving the efficiency of the transfusion.
Therefore, in cases where blood transfusion and blood testing are required, blood needs to be heated to a normal body temperature range to ensure the activity and stability of the blood, thereby improving the effectiveness of treatment and testing. Blood heating methods include water bath heating, incubator heating, microwave heating, etc. The appropriate heating method and heating time should be selected according to the specific situation.
In addition, blood heating can also prevent the effects of low temperature on the vascular system. When cold blood passes through the blood vessels, the blood vessels will contract, thus affecting blood flow and oxygen supply. If blood needs to be refrigerated or transported for an extended period of time, the blood vessels are subjected to prolonged hypothermia, which can affect normal body function. Therefore, heating the blood can reduce the effects of low temperatures on the vascular system, thus maintaining normal blood flow and oxygen supply and protecting the body’s health.
In addition, heating the blood can also reduce the adverse effects of blood transfusion. After a blood transfusion, the difference in temperature between the transfused blood and the blood in the body may cause discomfort and adverse reactions, such as chills, fever, and palpitations. Heating the blood to a temperature close to that of the blood in the body can reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
Overall, the reasons why blood needs to be heated include protecting the activity and stability of blood, improving the efficiency of transfusion, reducing the effects of hypothermia on the vascular system, and reducing adverse reactions after blood transfusion. Therefore, when performing operations such as blood transfusion and blood testing, blood needs to be heated to the appropriate temperature according to the specific conditions.
