ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our objective was to investigate the effect of a day-long exposure to high altitude on peak exercise capacity and safety in stable patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS: In a randomised controlled crossover trial, stable patients with PAH or distal CTEPH without resting hypoxaemia at low altitude performed two incremental exercise tests to exhaustion: one after 3-5â h at high altitude (2500â m) and one at low altitude (470â m). RESULTS: In 27 patients with PAH/CTEPH (44% females, mean±sd age 62±14â years), maximal work rate was 110±64â W at 2500â m and 123±64â W at 470â m (-11%, 95% CI -16- -11%; p<0.001). Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and arterial oxygen tension at end-exercise were 83±6% versus 91±6% and 6.1±1.9 versus 8.6±1.9â kPa (-8% and -29%; both p<0.001) at 2500 versus 470â m, respectively. Maximal oxygen uptake was 17.8±7.5â L·min-1·kg-1 at high altitude versus 20±7.4â L·min-1·kg-1 at low altitude (-11%; p<0.001). At end-exercise, the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide was 43±9 at 2500â m versus 39±9 at 470â m (9%, 95% CI 2-6%; p=0.002). No adverse events occurred during or after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Among predominantly low-risk patients with stable PAH/CTEPH, cycling exercise during the first day at 2500â m was well tolerated, but peak exercise capacity, blood oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency were lower compared with 470â m.