%0 Journal Article %A Ashvin Isaac %A William Noffsinger %A Christopher Kosky %A Bhajan Singh %T Light exercise during a Hypoxic Challenge Test alters recommendations for air travel %D 2019 %R 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA3911 %J European Respiratory Journal %P PA3911 %V 54 %N suppl 63 %X Introduction: The Hypoxic Challenge Test (HCT) assesses the need for supplemental oxygen (OX) and safety of air travel. HCT methods vary between laboratories and countries. Most laboratories measure oxygen saturation (SpO2) at rest with and without OX1. About a quarter in Australasia also assess SpO2 during light exercise (EX), whereas this does not occur in the UK2.Aim: To determine if EX and OX data individually and combined during HCT alters recommendations for air travel.Method: HCT data on consecutive patients from June 2016 to May 2017 was extracted and de-identified from a respiratory laboratory at a tertiary hospital in Western Australia. For each patient, 4 de-identified versions of HCT data were created to display SpO2 & Borg scores at rest at FiO2 0.21 and 0.15 plus 1) no OX or EX data, 2) EX data (stepping for 2 minutes), 3) OX data (OX 2 L/min), and 4) EX+OX data. Two respiratory physicians reviewed each version independently and randomly, and made recommendations on flight safety with or without oxygen. Calculations were made of the percentage of cases of altered recommendations when OX and EX data were available.Results: 46 of 54 tests were analysable (54% male, aged 67.2±11.7 years, BMI 28.8±7.0 kg/m2). Compared to version 1 (no EX or OX data), there was a change in the physicians’ recommendation of HCT with the addition of EX 70.0% (28), OX 5.4% (2) and EX+OX 83.5% (25).Conclusion: For most patients, Hypoxic Challenge Test recommendations alter with light exercise data.References:1. Ahmedzai et al., Thorax, 2011; 66:1-302. Isaac et al., Hypoxic challenge testing in the UK and Australia & New Zealand; Proceedings of the ERS International Congress 2018, Sept18; Paris, FranceFootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA3911.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). %U