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Abnormal blood flow in the sublingual microcirculation at high altitude
Daniel S Martin1, Can Ince, Peter Goedhart
1Centre for Altitude, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE Medicine), UCL Institute of Human Health and Performance, First Floor, Charterhouse Building, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London, N19 5LW, UK. dan.s.martin@gmail.com
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|April 1, 2009
Summary
High altitude climbing impairs microcirculatory blood flow, particularly in smaller vessels. This disruption may explain tissue oxygen issues even after acclimatization.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Microcirculation Research
Background:
- High altitude exposure presents physiological challenges, including potential alterations in blood flow.
- Understanding microcirculatory adaptations is crucial for managing altitude-related illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly observe and quantify changes in sublingual microcirculatory blood flow at high altitude.
- To investigate the relationship between microcirculatory flow, oxygen saturation, and altitude sickness symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sidestream dark-field imaging to capture sublingual microcirculation in 12 volunteers during a Himalayan expedition.
- Calculated microcirculatory flow index (MFI) and recorded peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and Lake Louise scores (LLS).
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in MFI observed in small (<25 microm) and medium (26-50 microm) vessels at 4,900 m compared to baseline.
- No significant correlation found between MFI and SpO2 or MFI and LLS.
Conclusions:
- High altitude exposure deranges microcirculatory blood flow, impacting small and medium-sized vessels.
- Microcirculatory dysfunction may contribute to persistent abnormal tissue oxygen flux despite normalized systemic oxygen delivery during acclimatization.
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