Importance

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Abstract

A process of hyperthermic treatment of a patient which comprises the steps of establishing a sterile extracorporeal flow path for blood having an inlet, an outlet and a temperature control zone therebetween, establishing communication of the flow path inlet with the patient's bloodstream so that blood can be supplied to the extracorporeal flow path without adversely affecting the blood circulation in the area from which the blood is withdrawn, establishing communication of the flow path outlet with the patient's bloodstream so that blood is returned to the bloodstream in such a way as to be distributed systemically, pumping blood withdrawn from the patient's bloodstream through the temperature control zone at a controlled rate of at least approximately 1 liter per minute and returning the same to the patient's bloodstream to be distributed systemically, controlling the temperature of the blood flowing through the temperature control zone for an initial period during which the temperature level of the blood within the zone is raised without subjecting the same to localized temperatures in excess of approximately 45.degree. C. so that the systemic distribution of the returned blood gradually increases the core temperature of the patient's body to a generally stable temperature condition at a level of approximately 41.5.degree. C. but not higher than approximately 42.5.degree. C., and maintaining control of the temperature of the blood flowing through the temperature control zone at the generally stable temperature for a second time period sufficient to effect the desired treatment and apparatus for carrying out the method.

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