To study whether oxygen therapy titrated to maintain oxygenation (SpO2) \> 90% at 2500m would resolve altitude-related adverse health effects, symptoms and impaired exercise during 30h exposure to high altitude.
Patients with pulmonary hypertension who reveal an altitude-related adverse health effects at 2500m will be given oxygen therapy by nasal cannula titrated to maintain the oxygen saturation above 90%. The study will investigate, whether this measure will restore altitude-induced impairment to baseline levels at low altitude.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
9
Oxygen Therapy in patients developing an altitude related adverse health effect (ARAHE) during 30h exposure to 2500m of high altitude
Respiratory Clinic, University Hospital of Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Recovery from ARAHE
Proportion of patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension experiencing an ARAHE at 2500 m of high altitude and receiving oxygen therapy titrated to achieve SpO2 ≥ 90% who recover from ARAHE, have improved symptoms and achieve constant work-rate exercise time within a minimal important difference as defined for patients with respiratory disease within 1.75 min of baseline value at 490 m; time frame within 6 h after initiation of oxygen therapy.
Time frame: 30 hours
Constant work-rate exercise time
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude in constant work-rate exercise time cycle exercise test at 75% Wmax at low altitude
Time frame: 30 hours
Maximum work-rate in incremental ramp cycle exercise tests
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude in maximal exercise capacity during a incremental ramp cycle exercise test
Time frame: 30 hours
Hemodynamics
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude in hemodynamics assessed by echocardiography at rest including pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart function assessed as tricuspid plane systolic excursion and fractional area change.
Time frame: 30 hours
Borg dyspnoea scale
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude baseline in post-exercise Borg dyspnoea scale going from 1-10 scores with higher values meaning worse dyspnea
Time frame: 30 hours
Visual Analogue Scale
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude baseline in symptoms assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale for dyspnoea, a 10cm line from left to right where patients have to add a cross-line with higher values meaning better feeling.
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Time frame: 30 hours
Cognitive testing
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude baseline in cognitive function tests
Time frame: 30 hours
sit-to-stand test
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude baseline in sit-to-stand test
Time frame: 30 hours
Sleep disordered breathing
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude in sleep disordered breathing
Time frame: 30 hours
6 minute walk test
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude in 6 minute walk test
Time frame: 30 hours
Acute Mountain Sickness Score
Difference with oxygen therapy at high altitude vs. low altitude baseline in symptoms assessed by the Lake Louise acute mountain sickness score going from 0-12 points with mild AMS as 3-5 points, moderate AMS as 6-9 points, and severe AMS as 10-12 points.
Time frame: 30 hours