TY - JOUR T1 - Reduced submaximal exercise performance in COPD patients at moderate altitude (2590m) JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P2102 AU - Michael Furian AU - Sara E. Hartmann AU - Tsogyal D Latshang AU - Deborah Flueck AU - Sebastian D. Segitz AU - Christian Murer AU - Philipp Scheiwiler AU - Severine Mueller-Mottet AU - Silvia Ulrich AU - Malcolm Kohler AU - Marc J. Poulin AU - Konrad E. Bloch Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2102.abstract N2 - Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with exercise intolerance at sea level and further limitations are expected at altitude. We quantified exercise performance of COPD patients travelling to moderate altitude and analyzed responsible mechanisms.Methods 37 patients with COPD, (mean±SD FEV1 54±15%) performed submaximal, constant-load bicycle spiroergometry to exhaustion in Zurich (490m) at 60% of maximal work rate (63±30watts), and on the 2nd day after arrival at Davos Jakobshorn (2590m). Performance was compared between altitudes.Results At 2590m exercise endurance was reduced by 57%, and this was associated by a reduced oxygen uptake and PaO2 compared to 490m.View this table:Results of exercise testsConclusion In COPD patients, exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at 2590m submaximal exercise endurance was reduced by more than half compared to 490m. The exercise limitation at altitude was related to hypoxemia due to low barometric pressure but not to ventilatory limitation.Grant:Swiss National Science Foundation. ER -