Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect supplemental oxygen has on the respiratory and cardiovascular system of a mountaineer during sleep at high altitude by using a novel ambulatory, multisensor, continuous monitoring device. Supplemental oxygen was administered to a healthy subject via a nasal demand system (0, 16.7, 33.3, or 50 mL/sec per pulse dose delivered over 1 sec) during the first three nights of sleep at 4900 and 5700 m. Increases in pulse dose resulted in a consistent rise in SaO2 and a fall in minute ventilation (p < 0.05). The 50-mL pulse dose resulted in the greatest changes, with an increase in SaO2 from 68.5% to 81% (p < 0.05) and a fall in minute ventilation from 13.1 to 10.9 L/min (p < 0.05) being noted. Changes in SaO2 and minute ventilation also coincided with a fall in apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). At 4900 m the AHI fell from 12.5-52.3 (breathing air) to 0-7.5 (50-mL oxygen pulse), whereas at 5700 m a decrease from 49.1-80.4 to 3.5-10.0 was observed. No changes in respiratory rate or heart rate were identified when different pulse doses were compared (p < 0.05). The multisensor monitoring device proved to be a highly effective system, demonstrating marked improvements in SaO2, tidal volume, and AHI in our participant when supplemental oxygen was administered via a nasal demand system.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 307-311 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | High Altitude Medicine and Biology |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Mountaineering
- Nasal demand breathing system
- Periodic breathing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Medicine(all)
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation