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[Respiratory changes during ascension to 8,000 meters mountain]
Luis Compte Torrero1, Rosa M Real Soriano, Javier Botella De Maglia
1Servicio de Neumología. Expedición Cinc Segles de la Universitat de València al Gasherbrum II, Spain. compte_lui@gva.es
High-altitude expeditions cause restrictive lung function changes, which improve with acclimatization. These alterations may relate to mild pulmonary edema, not respiratory muscle weakness.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- High-altitude medicine
Context:
- Expeditions to extreme altitudes (e.g., 8,000m peaks) present unique physiological challenges.
- Understanding respiratory function changes at high altitude is crucial for climber safety and performance.
Purpose:
- To investigate spirometric alterations during high-altitude expeditions.
- To determine if acclimatization modifies these changes.
- To explore correlations with acute mountain sickness, oxygen saturation, and muscle deterioration.
Summary:
- Spirometry (FVC, FEV1) decreased upon arrival at 5,200m, indicating restrictive lung function.
- Forced vital capacity (FVC) normalized after a month of acclimatization.
- Reduced FVC correlated with acute mountain sickness severity and weight loss.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a subclinical high-altitude pulmonary edema contributes to restrictive lung changes.
- Acclimatization mitigates spirometric alterations, despite high-altitude induced muscular deterioration.
- Respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) remained unaffected.
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