Circulation in rats with Guérin carcinoma.

After implantation of Guérin carcinoma in rats, cardiac output (by Evans-blue dilution), distribution of the organ fractions of cardiac output (by Sapirsteins's isotope indicator fractionation technique), nutritive blood flow and circulatory resistance of the organs (including the tumor) were studied. The following parameters were altered proportionately to the weight of the tumor (0.39-84.0 g): a) weight of gut and carcass diminished; b) cardiac index increased, blood pressure and total peripheral resistance decreased; c) tumor fraction of cardiac output was augmented; d) blood flow of the organs increased and their circulatory resistance decreased. Hematocrit decreased from 47.2 to 31.0% 20 days after tumor implantation. In rats with tumor the changes of blood flow may be conditioned by both anemia and the decrease in organ weight.