Visuomotor performance at high altitude in COPD patients. Randomized placebo-controlled trial of acetazolamide.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: We evaluated whether exposure to high altitude impairs visuomotor learning in lowlanders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and whether this can be prevented by acetazolamide treatment. Methods: 45 patients with COPD, living <800 m, FEV1 ≥40 to <80%predicted, were randomized to acetazolamide (375 mg/d) or placebo, administered 24h before and during a 2-day stay in a clinic at 3100 m. Visuomotor performance was evaluated with a validated, computer-assisted test (Motor-Task-Manager) at 760 m above sea level (baseline, before starting the study drug), within 4h after arrival at 3100 m and in the morning after one night at 3100 m. Main outcome was the directional error (DE) of cursor movements controlled by the participant via mouse on a computer scre

SUBMITTER: Scheiwiller PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9493049 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature