Hyperthermia Perfusion

Hyperthermia perfusion: The concept for hyperthermia perfusion is to warm up the patient’s blood slowly up to 42-43 degree Celsius, which is Fahrenheit 107.6 degrees Celsius (42) or 109.4 C (43). This is like having a mild fever. This procedure is continued for anywhere from one hour to two hours. This depends on the patient’s homodynamic stability and blood gas results. The flow is a very low flow, around 30 to 80 ml/min. A high flow is not necessary, just as long as it is continuous. A linear flow is better. This is done by providing a constant low flow at a warm temperature. The patient is awake and this enables the perfusionist and the doctor, who are both present during the entire procedure, to monitor the patient closely. The console that provides the temperature and flow is regulated by parameters dialed in. The patient has a monitor which reveals EKG, respiratory rate, arterial saturation, and blood pressure. ACTs are run the length of the case to ensure proper anticoagulation, so no clots form in the software. The patient will experience no discomfort.

The patient can sit up, read, talk, work on the computer or an iPad, and watch television, drink beverages, or converse with family in the patient’s room. Most patients will feel warm and perspire. Their color is great and they feel good. The ACT is allowed to become normal before the patient leaves the room The hyperthermia procedure allows the cancer cell membrane to become warm and enhances the treatments that are to be given. The temperature increases also burns the cancer cells, because they cannot survive in this temperature of 42-43 degrees Celsius. The results seen are very good. There is no chemo medication in this hyperthermia procedure. It is warming the patient’s blood with a small amount of Heparin (5000 units) in the priming volume. Therefore, the patient experiences only the warmth running through their entire body.