The effect of the Belmont rapid infuser on cold stored whole blood coagulability.

Introduction: With the large-scale use of whole blood in massive transfusion using rapid infusers/fluid warmers such as the Belmont, questions remain as to whether coagulation potency, platelet number and function are preserved.  We aimed to study functional coagulation capacity and cell counts in whole blood before and after infusion through the Belmont rapid infuser utilizing TEG analysis and complete blood counts.

Methods: We evaluated 10 whole blood units before and after infusion through a Belmont Fluid Management System at a set rate of 200 mL/min and a temperature of 37.