The oxygen saturation values reported in the high altitude literature are usually taken during a few minutes measurement either at rest or during exercise. We aimed to investigate the daily hypoxic profile by monitoring oxygen saturation for 24 hours in eight lowlanders (4 females, age 26-59) during the trekking from Lukla (2850m) to the Pyramid Laboratory (5050m). Oxygen saturation was measured: 1) daily, at each altitude (sm); 2) for 24-hours during the ascent to 3500m, to 4200m and during the first day at 5050m (lm); 3) during a standardized exercise (em). Results: the sm and lm values were 90.9%(±0.5) and 86.4%(±1.1) at 3500m; 85.2%(±1.1) and 80%(±1.9) at 4200m; 83.8%(±1) and 77%(±1.7), at 5050m,(p≤0.05);2) the daily time spent with oxygen saturation ≤90% was 56.5% at 3500m, 81% at 4200m and 95.5% at 5050m; 3) during exercise oxygen saturation decreased by 10.58% at 3500m; by 13.43 % and by 11.24 % at 4200m and 5050m respectively. In conclusion, our data show that the level of hypoxemia during a trekking at altitude is more severe than expected on the basis of a short evaluation at rest and should be taken into account.
The hypoxic profile during the trekking to the Pyramid Laboratory.
POMIDORI, Luca;CAMPIGOTTO, FEDERICA;GENNARI, Alessandra;COGO, Annaluisa
2009
Abstract
The oxygen saturation values reported in the high altitude literature are usually taken during a few minutes measurement either at rest or during exercise. We aimed to investigate the daily hypoxic profile by monitoring oxygen saturation for 24 hours in eight lowlanders (4 females, age 26-59) during the trekking from Lukla (2850m) to the Pyramid Laboratory (5050m). Oxygen saturation was measured: 1) daily, at each altitude (sm); 2) for 24-hours during the ascent to 3500m, to 4200m and during the first day at 5050m (lm); 3) during a standardized exercise (em). Results: the sm and lm values were 90.9%(±0.5) and 86.4%(±1.1) at 3500m; 85.2%(±1.1) and 80%(±1.9) at 4200m; 83.8%(±1) and 77%(±1.7), at 5050m,(p≤0.05);2) the daily time spent with oxygen saturation ≤90% was 56.5% at 3500m, 81% at 4200m and 95.5% at 5050m; 3) during exercise oxygen saturation decreased by 10.58% at 3500m; by 13.43 % and by 11.24 % at 4200m and 5050m respectively. In conclusion, our data show that the level of hypoxemia during a trekking at altitude is more severe than expected on the basis of a short evaluation at rest and should be taken into account.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
