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

Total body hyperthermia (TBHT) was induced in patients with terminal cancer, using a femoral arterio-venous shunt as an extracorporeal circuit incorporating a heat exchanger. A total of 31 systemic hyperthermic treatments lasting 3 to 4 hours at 41.5 degrees C to 42 degrees C (rectal temperature) were performed on 11 patients; chemotherapy had previously been unsuccessful in all of these cases. The effect of TBHT on cardiovascular function was explored in these patients. The heart rate and cardiac output were always markedly increased during hyperthermia, 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 was no instance in which this treatment had to be terminated because of severe cardiovascular failure during hyperthermia.