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Evidence supportive of impaired myocardial blood flow reserve at high altitude in subjects developing high-altitude pulmonary edema

Kaufmann, B. A. and Bernheim, A. M. and Kiencke, S. and Fischler, M. and Sklenar, J. and Mairbäurl, H. and Maggiorini, M. and Brunner-La Rocca, H. P.. (2008) Evidence supportive of impaired myocardial blood flow reserve at high altitude in subjects developing high-altitude pulmonary edema. American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol. 294, H. 4 , H1651-1657.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6003552

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Abstract

An exaggerated increase in pulmonary arterial pressure is the hallmark of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and is associated with endothelial dysfunction of the pulmonary vasculature. Whether the myocardial circulation is affected as well is not known. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFr) is altered in mountaineers developing HAPE. Healthy mountaineers taking part in a trial of prophylactic treatment of HAPE were examined at low (490 m) and high altitude (4,559 m). MBFr was derived from low mechanical index contrast echocardiography, performed at rest and during submaximal exercise. Among 24 subjects evaluated for MBFr, 9 were HAPE-susceptible individuals on prophylactic treatment with dexamethasone or tadalafil, 6 were HAPE-susceptible individuals on placebo, and 9 persons without HAPE susceptibility served as controls. At low altitude, MBFr did not differ between groups. At high altitude, MBFr increased significantly in HAPE-susceptible individuals on treatment (from 2.2 +/- 0.8 at low to 2.9 +/- 1.0 at high altitude, P = 0.04) and in control persons (from 1.9 +/- 0.8 to 2.8 +/- 1.0, P = 0.02), but not in HAPE-susceptible individuals on placebo (2.5 +/- 0.3 and 2.0 +/- 1.3 at low and high altitude, respectively, P < 0.1). The response to high altitude was significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.01). There was a significant inverse relation between the increase in the pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve and the change in myocardial blood flow reserve. HAPE-susceptible individuals not taking prophylactic treatment exhibit a reduced MBFr compared with either treated HAPE-susceptible individuals or healthy controls at high altitude.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Allgemeine innere Medizin USB > Ambulante innere Medizin (Hess C)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Allgemeine innere Medizin USB > Ambulante innere Medizin (Hess C)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Kardiologie
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Kardiologie
UniBasel Contributors:Brunner, Hanspeter and Bernheim, Alan M.
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:American Physiological Society
ISSN:0002-9513
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:27 Mar 2014 13:13
Deposited On:27 Mar 2014 13:13

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