Hypobaric Flight Simulation in COPD Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoxic response during hypobaric flight simulation in normal individuals as well as in normocapnic and hypercapnic COPD patients as well as to evaluate the impact of a flight simulation on walking endurance in these patients.

Detailed Description
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Background and aim: Commercial aircrafts have their altitude compensation adjusted to 2500 meter above sea level which corresponds to a pressure difference of about 270 hPa. This causes a reduction of the partial pressure of oxygen during the flight. Patients with lung disease are especially challenged by large walking distances within airports and during their journey. The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of a simulated flight under hyperbaric conditions on walking endurance in healthy individuals as well as in COPD Patients with and without hypercapnia. Method: Healthy individuals as well as COPD patients were assessed pre-flight with the following measurements: Arterial blood gas analysis Lung function test Lung diffusion test Hemoglobin level Six minute walking distance During the flight measurements included (measured every 30 minutes until landing): Heartrate Oxygen saturation Borg scale Post flight measurements included: Arterial blood gas analysis Six minute walking distance Intended analysis: Description of endurance response as a function of COPD disease severity. Description of endurance response in normocapnic and hypercapnic COPD patients. Detection of pre-flight predictors that determine flight tolerability and hypoxic response.

Official Title
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Impact of Hypobaric Flight Simulation on Walking Endurance in COPD Patients

Conditions
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COPD, Hypoxia, Aviation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Environmental


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: No lung disease COPD without hypercapnea COPD with hypercapnea Exclusion Criteria: Claustrophobia Renal insufficiency Heart failure (ejection fraction < 45 %)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: healthy subjects<br>three hour flight simulation | Other: Environmental<br>* hypobaric flight simulation<br>|
| Experimental: COPD normocapnic<br>three hour flight simulation | Other: Environmental<br>* hypobaric flight simulation<br>|
| Experimental: COPD hypercapnic<br>three hour flight simulation | Other: Environmental<br>* hypobaric flight simulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in six minute walking distance measured in meters | difference between pre- and post-flight walking distance | 30 Minutes before and after a 3 hour simulated flight (Time point - 30 and + 210 minutes) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| minimal Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oxymetry in % | Nadir of the oxygen saturation during the flight | measurement completed at 180 minutes |