Impaired cerebrovascular CO < sub > 2 < /sub > reactivity at high altitude in prematurely born adults

In conclusion, exposure to high altitude revealed different cerebrovascular responses in preterm- compared with term-born adults, despite similar ventilatory responses. These findings suggest a blunted cerebrovascular response at high altitude in preterm-born adults, which might predispose these individuals to an increased risk of high-altitude illnesses. KEY POINTS: Cerebral haemodynamics and cerebrovascular reactivity in normoxia are known to be similar between term-born and prematurely born adults. In contrast, acute exposure to high altitude unveiled different cerebrovascular responses to hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypocapnia. In particular, cerebral vasodilatation was impaired in prematurely born adults, leading to an exaggerated cerebral vasoconstriction. Cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to both hypo- and hypercapnia at sea level and at high altitude were similar between control subjects and prematurely born adults. Other mechanisms might therefore underlie the observed blunted cerebral vasodilatory responses in preterm-born adults at high altitude.PMID:38116893 | DOI:10.1113/JP285048

Source: The Journal of Physiology - December 20, 2023 Category: Physiology Authors: Giorgio Manferdelli Benjamin J Narang Nicolas Bourdillon Guido Giardini Tadej Debevec Gr égoire P Millet Source Type: research