Effect of travelling to 2590m on 6-minute walk distance, blood gases and symptoms of acute mountain sickness in COPD patients

Introduction The aim of the current study was to evaluate the exercise performance and health effects of altitude travel in patients with COPD. Methods 40 COPD patients, GOLD 2-3, living at Results On the first morning at 2590m, patients perceived mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness, 5 required nocturnal oxygen because of discomfort or severe hypoxemia. They were able to remain at altitude and felt well thereafter. One patient refused to ascend to 2590m because of insomnia at 1650m. Compared to 490m, the 6-MWD at altitude was reduced, arterial oxygen saturation, pO2 and pCO2 were decreased. Conclusions Travelling to 2590m was well tolerated by lowlanders with COPD, GOLD grade 2-3. None required an unscheduled descent. However, some suffered from mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness or required nocturnal oxygen. The stay at moderate altitude was associated with a reduced 6-MWD and hypoxemia. Grant: Swiss National Science Foundation, Zurich Lung League.