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CompletedNCT03574675Updated Jan 7, 2020

Acute Exposure of Simulated Hypoxia on Cardiac Output

An interventional study of Simulated Altitude (FiO2: 15.1) and Shamed Hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9) in Pulmonary Hypertension, sponsored by University of Zurich. Completed at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-01-07.

Sponsored by University of Zurich · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
28
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Randomized crossover trial in patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (PAH, CTEPH) to assess the acute response to simulated altitude (FIO2: 15.1% = equivalent to 2500m above sea level) on non-invasive cardiac output assessments by Finapres® "NOVA" Technology at rest and under exercise.

Read the detailed description

Low altitude baseline measurements will be performed in Zurich (470m asl) including Echocardiography, right heart catheterization, six-minute walk test (6MWT), pulmonary function test, clinical assessment and blood gas analysis at rest and under exercise.

Randomly assigned to the order of testing, the participants will be tested under simulated altitude (FiO2: 15.1% with the "AMC Altitrainer") and shamed altitude with the same device.

During the exposure to simulated altitude (FiO2: 15.1%) and shamed altitude of 1 hour each, the participants cardiac output non-invasively assessed will be measured throughout the whole intervention.

02

Conditions studied

  • Pulmonary Hypertension

Keywords

  • simulated altitude
  • exercise
  • non-invasive cardiac output
03

In context

Hypertension, Pulmonary

1,105 studies on the registry are indexed under Hypertension, Pulmonary; 234 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 28 is below the median of 35 across 649 interventional studies indexed under Hypertension, Pulmonary.

Browse Hypertension, Pulmonary studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Zurich is the lead sponsor of 1,030 studies on the registry; 130 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Informed consent
  • PH diagnosed according to internation Guidelines: mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 mmHg along with a Pulmonary artery Wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mmHg during right heart catheterization at the time of initial diagnosis
  • PH class 1 (PAH) or 4 (CTEPH)
  • Stable condition, on the same medication for > 4 weeks
  • Patient live permanently at an altitude \< 1000m asl.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Resting partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) ≤7.3 kiloPascal (kPA) corresponding to the requirement of long-term oxygen therapy > 16hour daily (nocturnal oxygen therapy alone is allowed)
  • Severe daytime hypercapnia (pCO2 > 6.5 kPa)
  • Susceptibility to high altitude related diseases (AMS, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), etc.) based on previous experienced discomfort at altitudes.
  • Exposure to an altitude >1500m for ≥3 nights during the last 4 weeks before the study participation
  • Residence > 1000m above sea level
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, neurological or orthopedic problems with walking disability
  • Women who are pregnant or breast feeding
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
28 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Order Sham/Hypoxia

    The participants will be consecutively exposed to shamed hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9%) equivalent to sea level and to simulated altitude (FiO2: 15.1%) equivalent to 2500m above sea level administered by an altitude simulator ("Altitrainer", SMTEC) with a facemask.

    Device: Simulated Altitude (FiO2: 15.1) · Device: Shamed Hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9)

  • Experimental
    Order Hypoxia/Sham

    The participants will be consecutively exposed to hypoxia (FiO2: 15,1%) equivalent to 2500m above sea level and to shamed hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9%) equivalent to sea level administered by an altitude simulated ("Altitrainer", SMTEC) with a facemask.

    Device: Simulated Altitude (FiO2: 15.1) · Device: Shamed Hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9)

Interventions

  • DeviceSimulated Altitude (FiO2: 15.1)

    Inhalation of deoxygenated air through an altitude simulator ("Altitrainer") for approximately 1 hour given by a facemask.

  • DeviceShamed Hypoxia (FiO2: 20.9)

    Inhalation of unmodified air through an altitude simulator ("Altitrainer") for approximately 1 hour given by a facemask.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Cardiac Output measured non-invasively

    Change in non-invasive assessed cardiac output measured with a finger cuff (Finapres) during the exposure to simulated altitude (FiO2: 15.1%) compared to normoxia

    Time frame: 1 hour

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Respiratory Clinic, University Hospital of Zurich
    Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 7, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03574675
Lead sponsor
University of Zurich
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 2, 2018
Start date
May 2, 2018
Primary completion
Apr 1, 2019
Completion
Apr 1, 2019
Last update
Jan 7, 2020

Study contacts

Silvia Ulrich, MD
principal investigator · University of Zurich

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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