Effect of Acetazolamide on Right Ventricular Function During Exercise in Patients With Respiratory Disease at Altitude

University of Zurich110 enrolled

Overview

This trial will evaluate the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on right ventricular function during exercise at acute altitude exposure in patients with COPD.

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel trial evaluating the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on right ventricular function during exercise in lowlanders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease travelling to altitude. Participants living in the Bishkek area, Kyrgyzstan (760m), will be transferred by car within 4h to the Tuja Ashu high altitude clinic (3200 m), and stay there for 2 days. Acetazolamide 375mg/day (or placebo) will be administered 24 hours before departure at 760 m and during the stay at altitude. Outcomes will be assessed during the stay at 3200 m. Right ventricular function will be assessed during graded cycling on an ergometer by transthoracic echocardiography.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

110

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Interventions

ACETAZOLAMIDE oral capsuleDRUG

Administration of 125mg acetazolamide in the morning, 250mg in the evening, starting 24 hours before departure to 3200m

Placebo oral capsuleDRUG

Administration of equally looking placebo capsules in the morning and evening, starting 24 hours before departure to 3200m

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients, age 18-75 yrs. * COPD diagnosed according to GOLD, FEV1 40-80% predicted, SpO2 ≥92% at 750 m. * Born, raised and currently living at low altitude (\<800m). * Written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * COPD exacerbation, very severe COPD with hypoxemia at low altitude (FEV1/FVC \<0.7, FEV1 \<40% predicted, oxygen saturation on room air \<92% at 750 m). * Comorbidities such as uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, i.e., unstable systemic arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease; previous stroke; OSA; pneumothorax in the last 2 months. * Internal, neurologic, rheumatologic or psychiatric disease including current heavy smoking (\>20 cigarettes per day) * Known renal failure or allergy to acetazolamide and other sulfonamides

Locations (1)

National Center for Cardiology and Internal Medicine

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

pulmonary artery pressure during exercise

Difference in change of tricuspid pressure gradient during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group at altitude, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Time frame: Day 2 at 3200m

Secondary Outcomes

pulmonary artery pressure during exercise

Difference in altitude-induced change of tricuspid pressure gradient during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Time frame: Day 2 at 760 m and 3200 m

cardiac output during exercise

Difference in change of cardiac output during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group at altitude, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Time frame: Day 2 at 3200m

cardiac output during exercise

Difference in altitude-induced change of cardiac output during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Time frame: Day 2 at 760 m and 3200 m

PAP/CO slope during exercise

Difference in change of PAP/CO slope during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group at altitude, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Time frame: Day 2 at 3200m

PAP/CO slope during exercise

Difference in altitude-induced change of PAP/CO slope during exercise between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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