Exercise Endurance Time on the 2nd Day at 2500 m High Altitude

The Impact of Hypoxia on Patients With Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension and Treatment of Adverse Effects

The impact of a sojourn at 2500 m of high altitude for 26-30 h on constant work-rate exercise test time in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension

Patients with pulmonary hypertension will perform a constant work-rate exercise test at low altitude (450m) and at high altitude 2500m in a randomized-cross-over sequence protocol. The constant work-rate exercise test time and other measures will be assessed

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed consent as documented by signature
• PH class I (PAH) or IV (CTEPH) diagnosed according to guidelines: mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance ≥3 wood units, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≤15 mmHg during baseline measures at the diagnostic right-heart catheterization

Exclusion Criteria:

• resting partial pressure of oxygen <8 kilopascal at Zurich at 490 m low altitude
• exposure to an altitude >1000 m for ≥3 nights during the last 2 weeks before the study
• inability to follow the procedures of the study
• other clinically significant concomitant end-stage disease (e.g., renal failure, hepatic dysfunction)