Interstitial lung fluid balance in healthy lowlanders exposed to high-altitude

Publication date: Available online 26 May 2017 Source:Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Author(s): Bryan J. Taylor, Glenn M. Stewart, Jan W. Marck, Douglas T. Summerfield, Amine N. Issa, Bruce D. Johnson We aimed to assess lung fluid balance before and after gradual ascent to 5,150m. Lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), alveolar-capillary membrane conductance (DmCO) and ultrasound lung comets (ULCs) were assessed in 12 healthy lowlanders at sea-level, and on Day 1, Day 5 and Day 9 after arrival at Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC). EBC was reached following an 8-day hike at progressively increasing altitudes starting at 2,860m. DLCO was unchanged from sea-level to Day 1 at EBC, but increased on Day 5 (11±10%) and Day 9 (10±9%) vs. sea-level (P ≤ 0.047). DmCO increased from sea-level to Day 1 (9±6%), Day 5 (12±8%), and Day 9 (17±11%) (all P ≤0.001) at EBC. There was no change in ULCs from sea-level to Day 1, Day 5 and Day 9 at EBC. These data provide evidence that interstitial lung fluid remains stable or may even decrease relative to at sea-level following 8days of gradual exposure to high-altitude in healthy humans.
Source: Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research