Pre-flight evaluation of adult patients with cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Air travel may imply a health hazard for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) due to hypobaric environment in the aircraft cabin. The objective was to identify pre-flight variables, which might predict severe hypoxaemia in adult CF patients during air travel.

Methods

Thirty adult CF-patients underwent pre-flight evaluation with spirometry, arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂), pulse oximetry (SpO₂) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at sea level (SL). The results were related to the PaO₂ obtained during a hypoxia-altitude simulation test (HAST) in which a cabin altitude of 2438 m (8000 ft) was simulated by breathing 15.1% oxygen.

Results

Four patients fulfilled the criteria for supplemental oxygen during air travel (PaO

SUBMITTER: Edvardsen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5292785 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature