This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Permissions Request Permissions Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (28) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Akerø, A. Articles by Skjønsberg, O. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Akerø, A. Articles by Skjønsberg, O. H.

Hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients during a commercial flight

¹ Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, and ² Glittreklinikken, Hakadal, Norway

CORRESPONDENCE: A. Akerø, Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Ullevål University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. Fax: 47 23015963. E-mail: aina.akero@uus.no

Keywords: Altitude, cabin pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commercial aircraft, hypoxaemia

Received: August 9, 2004
Accepted November 19, 2004

The aim of the study was to investigate hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients during a commercial flight.

The effect of a commercial flight, lasting 5 h 40 min, on arterial blood gas levels and symptoms in 18 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with a pre-flight percutaneous oxygen saturation of 94% and self-reported ability to walk 50 m without severe dyspnoea was studied.

The arterial oxygen tension (P_a,O2) decreased from sea level to cruising altitude (10.3±1.2 versus 8.6±0.8 kPa), but, thereafter, except for one patient, remained stable throughout the flight. During light exercise, however, there was further desaturation (percutaneous oxygen saturation 90±4 versus 87±4%). After 4 h, a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension (5.0±0.4 versus 4.8±0.4 kPa) and an increase in cardiac frequency (87±13 versus 95±13 beats·min^-1) were observed. A pre-flight P_a,O2 of >9.3 kPa did not secure an acceptable in-flight P_a,O2. Aerobic capacity showed the strongest correlation with in-flight P_a,O2.

In conclusion, following an initial decrease in arterial oxygen tension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a stable state of their disease seem to maintain a stable arterial oxygen tension throughout a flight of intermediate duration, except when walking along the aisle. However, a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension, indicating compensatory hyperventilation, could imply a risk of respiratory fatigue during longer flights.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B R O'Driscoll, L S Howard, A G Davison, and on behalf of the British Thoracic Society BTS guideline for emergency oxygen use in adult patients Thorax, October 1, 2008; 63(Suppl_6): vi1 - vi68. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. T. Kelly, M. P. Swanney, L. M. Seccombe, C. Frampton, M. J. Peters, and L. Beckert Air Travel Hypoxemia vs the Hypoxia Inhalation Test in Passengers With COPD Chest, April 1, 2008; 133(4): 920 - 926. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. K. Coker, R. J. Shiner, and M. R. Partridge Is air travel safe for those with lung disease? Eur. Respir. J., December 1, 2007; 30(6): 1057 - 1063. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.E. Martin, J.M. Bradley, J.B. Buick, I. Bradbury, and J.S. Elborn Flight assessment in patients with respiratory disease: hypoxic challenge testing vs. predictive equations QJM, June 1, 2007; 100(6): 361 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M. Luks and E. R. Swenson Travel to high altitude with pre-existing lung disease Eur. Respir. J., April 1, 2007; 29(4): 770 - 792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]