Relative dispersion of intravascular transit times during isolated human limb perfusions for recurrent melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
We have characterized the relative dispersion of vascular and extravascular markers in the limbs of three patients undergoing isolated limb perfusions with the cytotoxic melphalan for recurrent malignant melanoma both before and after melphalan dosing.


METHODS
A bolus of injectate containing [51Cr] labelled red blood cells, [14C]-sucrose and [3H]-water was injected into an iliac or femoral artery and outflow samples collected at 1 s intervals by a fraction collector. The radioactivity due to each isotype was analysed by either gamma [51Cr] or beta [14C and 3H] counting. The moments of the outflow fraction-time profiles were estimated by a nonparametric (numerical integration) method and a parametric model (sum of two inverse Gaussian functions).


RESULTS
The availability, mean transit time and normalised variance (CV2) obtained for labelled red blood cells, sucrose and water were similar before and after melphalan dosing and with the two methods of calculation but varied between the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The vascular space is not well-stirred but characterized by a CV2 similar that reported previously for in situ rat hind limb and rat liver perfusions. A flow-limited blood-tissue exchange was observed for the permeating indicators. Administration of melphalan did not influence the distribution characteristics of the indicators.
Roberts
M S
MS
Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Buranda, Australia.
Wu
Z Y
ZY
Rivory
L P
LP
Smithers
B M
BM
Egerton
W S
WS
Weiss
M
M
D000368:Aged; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008558:Melphalan