An interventional study of Re-Ascent from sea level to 2850m in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Pulmonary Vascular Disease and High Altitude, sponsored by Silvia Ulrich Somaini. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-04.
Sponsored by Silvia Ulrich Somaini · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
To study the effect of a re-ascent after a one-week stay at sea level (after prior descent from 2850m) to high altitude (Quito Ecuador: 2850m) on pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) and other hemodynamic outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension PAH, who live permanently >2600m.
The aim of this research is to investigate the pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) by echocardiography and other hemodynamic outcomes before and after re-ascent (sea level for 7 days vs. re-ascent to 2850m) in patients with diagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension according to guidelines, who permanently live at high altitude over 2600m
Exclusion Criteria:
Assessment of pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) and other hemodynamic parameters after 7 days at sea level with re-ascent from sea level back to 2850m by bus (in one day) and assessment of the same outcomes
Behavioral: Re-Ascent from sea level to 2850m
After 7 days at sea level return/re-ascent to their usual living altitude at 2850m
Pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference in sPAP/CO by echocardiography between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent at 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
Tricuspid regurgitation velocity TRV after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in tricuspid regurgitation velocity TRV between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent at 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
Cardiac output CO after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in cardiac output CO between sea level (after one-week stay) and Day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to the day after re-ascent
Tricuspid annular plan systolic excursion TAPSE after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in tricuspid annular plan systolic excursion TAPSE between sea level (after one-week stay) and Day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
Right ventricular strain after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in right ventricular strain between sea level (after one-week stay) and Day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
Right atrial pressure RAP after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in right atrial pressure RAP between sea level (after one-week stay) and Day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
Fractional area change FAC after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in fractional area change FAC between sea level (after one-week stay) and Day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 5-7 at sea level to day after re-ascent
PaO2 after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in PaO2 (arterial blood gas analysis) between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 7 at sea level to day after re-ascent (time frame of 3 days)
PaCO2 after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in PaCO2 (arterial blood gas analysis) between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 7 at sea level to day after re-ascent (time frame of 3 days)
Hemoglobin after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in hemoglobin (arterial blood gas analysis) between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 7 at sea level to day after re-ascent (time frame of 3 days)
pH after re-ascent to 2850m
Difference/change in pH (arterial blood gas analysis) between sea level (after one-week stay) and day after re-ascent to 2850m in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: From Day 7 at sea level to day after re-ascent (time frame of 3 days)
Pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in pulmonary resistance (sPAP/CO) at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Tricuspid regurgitation velocity TRV pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in tricuspid regurgitation velocity TRV at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Cardiac output CO pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in cardiac output CO at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Tricuspid annular plan systolic excursion TAPSE pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in tricuspid annular plan systolic excursion TAPSE at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Right ventricular strain pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in right ventricular strain at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Right atrial pressure RAP pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in right atrial pressure RAP at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Fractional area change FAC pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in fractional area change FAC at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
PaO2 pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in PaO2 (arterial blood gas analysis) at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
PaCO2 pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in PaCO2 (arterial blood gas analysis) at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Hemoglobin pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in hemoglobin (arterial blood gas analysis) at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
pH pre-descent to after re-ascent
Difference/change in pH (arterial blood gas analysis) at 2850m with a one-week stay at sea level in between (day pre-descent vs. day after re-ascent) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Time frame: Baseline at 2850m followed by a one-week stay at sea level to the day after re-ascent back to 2850m (time frame approximately 11 days)
Plan to share: Yes — Data will be provided upon request and based on a clear intention reviewed by an ethical review board
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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension→
Silvia Ulrich Somaini