Effect of moderate altitude and nocturnal oxygen therapy on cerebrovascular function in patients with COPD: A randomized, crossover trial at 2048 m.

ABSTRACT: We investigated whether nocturnal oxygen therapy improves next-day cerebrovascular function in lowlanders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) staying at moderate altitude. This randomized, placebo-controlled single-blind crossover trial was performed in moderate-to-severe COPD patients [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.7; FEV₁ 30%-80% of predicted], living at <800 m a.s.l. and arterial oxygen saturation ( SpO2${{S}_{{\mathrm{p}}{{{\mathrm{O}}}_2}}}$ ) measured with pulse oximetry ≥92%. Patients underwent assessments at 490 m and during two separate sojourns of 2 days at 2048 m, receiving either 3 L min^-1 nocturnal oxygen therapy or placebo in a randomized crossover design. At both altitudes, SpO2${{S}_{{\ma

SUBMITTER: Gilliand D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12857471 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature