RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients during a commercial flight
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 725
OP 730
DO 10.1183/09031936.05.00093104
VO 25
IS 4
A1 Akerø, A.
A1 Christensen, C. C.
A1 Edvardsen, A.
A1 Skjønsberg, O. H.
YR 2005
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/4/725.abstract
AB 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 (Pa,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 Pa,O2 of >9.3 kPa did not secure an acceptable in-flight Pa,O2. Aerobic capacity showed the strongest correlation with in-flight Pa,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.