Rapid Fluid Resuscitation Tool Helps Combat Septic Shock

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Nov 2018

A hand-powered rapid infuser delivers crystalloid and colloid resuscitative fluids to patients with critical conditions such as sepsis and hypovolemic shock.

The 410 Medical (Durham, NC, USA) LifeFlow Rapid Infuser is a single-use device with an intravenous (IV) administration tubing set and a levered compression handle used to deliver crystalloid and colloid fluids into the patient’s bloodstream. When manually compressing the handle to actuate the syringe, fluid is delivered from a container to the patient; the device automatically refills when the handle is released. The infuser also includes a clear canopy, through which the graduations and contents of the syringe can be viewed during use.

Image: The LifeFlow rapid infuser for patients who require an urgent fluid bolus (Photo courtesy of 410 Medical).

In a study of the device conducted by 410 Medical at the University of North Carolina (UNC; Chapel Hill, USA), using LifeFlow in patients in need resulted in lower expected mortality (10 fewer deaths per 500 cases), when compared to standard IV fluid delivery methods, as well as lower expected hospital costs, a lower required use of mechanical ventilation (24% versus 31%), a decreased average hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and decreased use of vasopressors (17% vs 21%). The study was published on October 26, 2018, in Open Access Emergency Medicine.

“Unfortunately, the current tools available to give a rapid fluid bolus aren't very effective, and often don't allow us to correct hypotension quickly,” said lead author Mark Piehl, MD, of UNC, co-founder and chief medical officer of 410 Medical. “The analytical model developed in this study demonstrated the benefit of a novel device that facilitates earlier fluid bolus completion and better adherence to sepsis bundles.”

Hypovolemic shock, the most common type of shock, is a life-threatening condition that results when more than one-fifth of the blood volume is lost, making it impossible for the heart to pump a sufficient amount of blood to the body, leading to organ failure. The condition requires immediate emergency medical attention, with young children and older adults being the most susceptible.

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410 Medical
University of North Carolina