Susceptibility to High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema in Subjects With Increased Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

It has been shown, that subjects susceptible to high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) are characterised by an abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia. This abnormal rise of pulmonary artery pressure has also been observed in about 10% of otherwise healthy subjects without prior altitude exposure. The aim of the study is to investigate the susceptibility to HAPE in unacclimatised subjects with abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia after rapid ascent to high altitude (4559 m).

Official Title

Susceptibility to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema in Subjects With Increased Pulmonary Artery Pressure During Exercise in Normoxia and at Rest in Hypoxia.

Conditions

• High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Basic Science, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment.

Further Details

Primary Outcome Measures:

• Frequency of HAPE after rapid ascent to 4559m
  [Time Frame: during the 48 h stay at altitude]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

• Time course of pulmonary artery pressure
  [Time Frame: during the 48 h stay at altitude]
• Assessment of right ventricular function by echocardiography
  [Time Frame: during the 48 h stay at altitude]

Study Start

June 2007

Eligibility & Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 50 Years
• Genders Eligible for Study: Both
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

• Abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia
• Ability to climb Margherita Hut

Exclusion Criteria:

• Birth at or above 1500 m altitude
• Any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Infection disease
• Intake of drugs, in particular Acetazolamide, Nifedipine, corticosteroids or PDE-5-inhibitors.
• Pregnancy

Total Enrolment

30

Contact Details

Christoph Dehnert, MD
+49 (0)6221 56-38101
christoph.dehnert@med.uni-heidelberg.de   

Peter Bärtsch, MD, PhD
+49 (0)6221 56-8100
peter.bartsch@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Location:

Sports Medicine, University Hospital
Heidelberg
Germany, 69120