The effect of high altitude (2500 m) on incremental cycling exercise in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a randomised controlled cross-over trial.

To investigate the effect of a daylong exposure to high altitude on peak exercise capacity and safety in stable patients with pulmonary arterial and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PAH/CTEPH). In a randomised controlled cross-over trial, stable patients with PAH or distal CTEPH without resting hypoxemia at low altitude performed two incremental exercise tests to exhaustion, one after 3-5 h at high (2500 m) and one at low altitude (470 m). In 27 patients with PAH/CTEPH (44% women, 61±14 y), maximal work-rate was 110±64 watts at 2500 m and 123±64 watts at 470 m (-11%, 95%CI: -16 to -11, p<0.001). SpO Among predominantly low-risk patients with stable PAH/CTEPH, cycling exercise during the first day at 2500 m was well tolerated, but peak exercise capacity, blood oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency were lower compared to 470 m.

Informations de copyright

Copyright ©The authors 2024. For reproduction rights and permissions contact [e-mail].