Influence of different intravenous infusion sets on temperature of refrigerated parenteral nutrition solutions

We measured the temperature of 10 previously refrigerated parenteral-nutrition solutions (PN solutions) at the end of a standard intravenous-infusion set (IIS) (Intrafix, 145 cm long), an IIS with a mechanical device to control the flow of the solution (Dial-a-Flow, 226 cm long), and an IIS to be used with a volumetric infusion pump (Infusomat, 259 cm long). The temperature of the PN solution just after taking it out of the refrigerator was 6.0 +/- 0.8 degrees C (mean +/- SD), and that of the room was 24.2 +/- 0.7 degrees C. We recorded the temperature again at the end of the IIS after draining it freely, i.e., until there was no air inside the set (time 0), after 5, 10, and 15 min of infusion at 100 ml/h. After 15 min, the temperature at the end of the Intrafix set did not statistically differ (P less than 0.05) from room temperature. With Dial-a-Flow, the temperature of the solution was not statistically different from room temperature at any time. Finally, with Infusomat, the temperature was statistically different from that of the room for the first 5 min. We thus conclude that refrigerated PN solution can be administered to patients without having to warm it whenever an IIS is longer than 145 cm and flow not exceeding 100 ml/h is used. Adverse reactions sometimes observed in patients at the beginning of the administration of PN solution cannot, in our opinion, be attributed to the low temperature of the solution.