Effect of extracorporeally induced total body hyperthermia for cancer on cardiovascular function.

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Abstract
Total body hyperthermia (TBHT) was induced in patients with terminal cancer, using a femoral arterio-venous shunt as an extracorporeal circuit incorporation a heat exchanger. A total of 31 systemic hyperthermic terms lasting 3-4 h at 41.5.degree. to 42.degree. C (rectal temperature) were performed on 11 patients; chemotherapy was previously unsuccessful in all of these cases. The effect of TBHT on cardiovascular function was explored in these patients. The heart rate and cardiac output was always markedly increased during hyperthemia, however, the peripheral arterial, central venous, pulmonary arterial and pulmonary wedge pressures were little affected and no progressive metabolic acidosis occurred. TBHT was generally well tolerated and there as no instance in which this treatment was terminated because of severe cardiovascular failure during hyperthermia.