[Behavior of central venous blood temperature in short duration and repeated stress--possibilities for temperature...

Although an exercise-induced increase in blood temperature has been well-known for some time, there was still some doubt whether the change in central venous blood temperature with short-lasting and repetitive physical exercise can be measured and utilized by a temperature controlled pacing system. We studied the central venous blood temperature with short-lasting and repetitive exercise in ten healthy young volunteers and in ten pacemaker patients. The blood temperature was measured intracardially while they walked upstairs. A height of 20 m was covered within 100 +/- 5 s. An oxygen uptake of 27 ml/min/kg was calculated for this level of exercise. After walking upstairs once, the volunteers had an increase in central venous blood temperature of 0.3 degrees C and the pacemaker patients of 0.37 degrees C. After walking upstairs three times, the volunteers had an overall rise in blood temperature of 0.67 degrees C and the pacemaker patients of 0.86 degrees C. Thus, the central venous blood temperature shows a pronounced, measurable increase with short-lasting exercise as well. However, the rises in blood temperature accumulate with repetitive exercise, as the duration of exercise (100 s) when walking upstairs once is not sufficient for a new level of temperature to be reached according to the level of exercise. Thus, a temperature controlled pacing system should take these complex changes into consideration.