Right Ventricular Function During Exercise in Highlanders/Lowlanders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the right ventricular function during graded cycling on an ergometer by transthoracic echocardiography in Kyrgyz highlanders with high altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) by performing a cross-sectional case-control study.

Official Title
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Right Ventricular Function During Exercise in Highlanders With Pulmonary Hypertension Compared to Highlanders Without Pulmonary Hypertension and Lowlanders

Conditions
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High Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: high altitude pulmonary hypertension confirmed by clinical presentation and mean pulmonary artery pressure >30 mmHg measured by echocardiography at altitude of residence. healthy subjects (high altitude controls) Both genders Age >16 y Kyrgyz ethnicity born, raised and currently living at >2500 m healthy subjects currently living at <1000 m (low altitude controls) Exclusion Criteria: Pulmonary hypertension from other causes, in particular from left ventricular failure as judged clinically and by echocardiography Excessive erythrocytosis Other coexistent disorders that may interfere with the cardio-respiratory system and sleep Regular use of medication that affects control of breathing Heavy smoking

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| High altitude pulmonary hypertension<br>Highlanders with high altitude pulmonary hypertension living above 2500 m. | |
| High altitude control<br>Healthy highlanders living above 2500 m. | |
| Low altitude control<br>Healthy lowlanders living below 1000 m. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) during exercise | Difference in change of tricuspid pressure gradient during exercise between highlanders with pulmonary hypertension, healthy highlanders and healthy lowlanders, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer | Day 2 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cardiac output (CO) during exercise | Difference in change of cardiac output during exercise between highlanders with pulmonary hypertension, healthy highlanders and healthy lowlanders, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer | Day 2 | 
| PAP/CO slope during exercise | Difference in change of PAP/CO slope during exercise between highlanders with pulmonary hypertension, healthy highlanders and healthy lowlanders, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer | Day 2 | 
| Oxygen saturation | Difference in change of oxygen saturation during exercise between highlanders with pulmonary hypertension, healthy highlanders and healthy lowlanders, measured by transthoracic echocardiography during graded cycling on an ergometer | Day 2 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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exercise, echocardiography, right ventricular function, pulmonary hypertension, hypoxia