title: Operation Everest III (Comex '97): modifications of cardiac function secondary to altitude-induced hypoxia. An echocardiographic and Doppler study.
abstract: During Operation Everest III (Comex '97), to assess the consequences of altitude-induced hypoxia, eight volunteers were decompressed in a hypobaric chamber, with a decompression profile simulating the climb of Mount Everest. Cardiac function was assessed using a combination of M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, with continuous and pulsed Doppler at 5,000, 7,000, and 8,000 m as well as 2 d after return to sea level (RSL). On simulated ascent to altitude, aortic and left atrial diameters, left ventricular (LV) diameters, and right ventricular (RV) end-systolic diameter fell regularly. Heart rate (HR) increased at all altitudes accompanied by a decrease in stroke volume; in total, cardiac output (Q) remained unchanged. LV filling was assessed on transmitral and pulmonary venous flow profiles. Mitral peak E velocity decreased, peak A velocity increased, and E/A ratio decreased. Pulmonary venous flow velocities showed a decreased peak D velocity, a decreased peak S velocity, and a reduction of the D/S ratio. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) showed a progressive and constant increase, as seen on the elevation of the right ventricular/right atrial (RV/RA) gradient pressure from 19.0 +/- 2.4 mm Hg at sea level up to 40.1 +/- 3.3 mm Hg at 8,000 m (p < 0.05), and remained elevated 2 d after recompression to sea level (SL) (not significant). In conclusion, this study confirmed the elevation of pulmonary pressures and the preservation of LV contractility secondary to altitude-induced hypoxia. It demonstrated a modification of the LV filling pattern, with a decreased early filling and a greater contribution of the atrial contraction, without elevation of LV end-diastolic pressure.
authors.affiliation: Service de Réanimation Médicale et Hyperbarie, CHU Salvator, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boussuges
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molenat
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burnet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cauchy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gardette
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sainty
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jammes
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Richalet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016275:Atrial Function / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology*; D017725:Ventricular Pressure