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Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model
Published on: August 4, 2012
Changes in hepatic blood flow during whole body hyperthermia
Maria Deja1, Olaf Ahlers, Martin Macguill
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. maria.deja@charite.de
Whole body hyperthermia (WBH) can significantly reduce hepatic blood flow in cancer patients, indicating a core blood flow redistribution. This change was not reflected in overall circulatory indicators.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Physiology
- Therapeutic Hypothermia
Background:
- Blood flow distribution is crucial for heat dissipation and therapeutic interventions like whole body hyperthermia (WBH) combined with chemotherapy.
- Understanding hepatic blood flow changes during WBH is vital for optimizing cancer treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify alterations in hepatic blood flow during whole body hyperthermia (WBH) in patients with metastatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Observational clinical study within a phase I/II feasibility trial of WBH.
- Hepatic blood flow assessed via indocyanine green clearance (PDR-ICG) and invasive thermo-dye-dilution.
- Measurements taken at specific temperature points during WBH induced by radiant heat.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in hepatic blood flow (PDR-ICG below normal) was observed in 10 out of 22 WBH treatments.
- No significant differences in cardiac output, volume status, or mean arterial blood pressure were noted between patients with and without reduced liver blood flow.
Conclusions:
- Whole body hyperthermia (WBH) leads to a distinct reduction in hepatic blood flow, suggesting a redistribution of blood away from the core.
- Global circulatory parameters do not appear to reflect these core blood flow changes during WBH.
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