The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of travelling to moderate altitude and of nocturnal oxygen therapy during a stay at moderate altitude on exercise performance of patients with pulmonary hypertension or with interstitial lung disease.
Patients with pulmonary hypertension or with interstitial lung disease living below 800 m will be invited to participate in a randomized, cross-over field trial evaluating the hypotheses that: a), exercise capacity during a 2 day sojourn at moderate altitude is reduced in comparison to low altitude; b), exercise capacity during a 2 day sojourn at moderate altitude is improved by nocturnal oxygen therapy compared to room air (sham oxygen) administered during nights at altitude. Outcomes will be assessed at low altitude (Zurich, 490 m, baseline), and during 2 study periods of 2 days each spent at moderate altitude (St. Moritz Salastrains, 2048 m), separated by a wash-out period of at least 2 weeks spent at low altitude (\<800 m). The order of stays at the different altitudes and of the treatments will be randomized.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
Participants will travel from Zurich (490 m) to St. Moritz Salastrains (2048 m) and stay there for 2 days
Low altitude baseline evaluations will be performed during a stay at Zurich (490)
Oxygen administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights spent at 2048 m
University Hospital Zurich, Pulmonary Division
Zurich, Switzerland
6 min walk distance
Difference in the distance walked in 6 min between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 2 at 2048 m
6 min walk distance
Difference in the distance walked in 6 min between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: day 3 at 2048 m
Arterial blood gas analysis
Change in arterial oxygen partial pressure, carbon dioxide partial pressure, and pH between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 2 at 2048 m
Spirometry
Difference in spirometry between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 2 at 2048 m
Perceived exertion
Difference in the perceived exertion rated with the BORG CR10 scale at the end of the 6 min walk between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 2 at 2048 m
Perceived exertion
Difference in the perceived exertion rated with the BORG CR10 scale at the end of the 6 min walk between measurements at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and between the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 3 at 2048 m
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Sham oxygen (room air) administration via a nasal cannula at a rate of 3 L/min during nights at 490 m and 2048 m
Severe hypoxemia
Number of participants in whom arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry is less than 75% for more than 30 min during the sojourn at 2048 m (altitude) and 490 m (baseline); and during the oxygen and sham oxygen treatment periods at 2028 m.
Time frame: Day 1 to 3 at 2048 m