Altitude Travel in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: Randomized Pilot-Trial Evaluating Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Stable patients with pulmonary arterial or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH) wish to undergo altitude sojourns or air travel but fear disease worsening. This pilot study investigates health effects of altitude sojourns and potential benefits of nocturnal oxygen therapy (NOT) in PH patients. Methods: Nine stable PH patients, age 65 (47; 71) years, 5 women, in NYHA class II, on optimized medication, were investigated at 490 m and during two sojourns of 2 days/nights at 2,048 m, once using NOT, once placebo (ambient air), 3 L/min per nasal cannula, according to a randomized crossover design with 2 weeks washout at <800 m. Assessments included safety, nocturnal pulse oximetry (SpO₂), 6-min walk distance (6 MWD), and echocardiography. R

SUBMITTER: Lichtblau M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7492536 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature