Gunjan Singh1, S Mukherjee2, S Trivedi3, A Joshi4, Amanpreet Kaur5, Shrimukta Sahoo6. 1. Classified Specialist (Anesthesiology & Trained in Pediatric Anesthesiology), Command Hospital (WC), Chandimandir, India. 2. Consultant & Head (Anaesthesiology & Critical Care), Command Hospital (WC), Chandimandir, India. 3. Senior Advisor (Anesthesiology & Intensive Care), Command Hospital (WC), Chandimandir, India. 4. Graded Specialist (Anaesthesiology), 153 GH, C/o 56 APO, India. 5. Medical Officer, 2118 Field Hospital, C/o 56 APO, India. 6. Medical Officer, 303 Field Hospital, C/o 56 APO, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The variation in heights beyond high altitude has different effects on the cardiorespiratory profile of individuals because of variation in oxygen density with every thousand feet. This study was planned to analyze and compare the effects of difference in altitudes on cardiorespiratory profile from anesthesiologist's point of view. METHODS: A multicenter observational study was done involving two different groups of 600 patients at 10,000 ft (Group A) and 15,000 ft (Group B). Observation and comparison of oxygen saturation, 6-min walk test, and breath holding time was carried out. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of subjects in Group A had oxygen saturation of more than 93% in comparison to 5.5% in Group B. This was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Two percent of subjects in Group A in comparison to 63.5% of Group B had oxygen saturation of less than 88% (P < 0.001). Percentage increase of more than 15% of heart rate was found to be statistically significant in all the age groups. Overall, 3.8% of individuals in Group A had breath holding time less than 15 s in comparison to 16.6% of individuals in Group B (P value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that there is a significant fall in oxygen saturation, significant rise in the heart rate in 6-min walk test, and significant fall in the breath holding time in the group located at 15,000 ft. Heights beyond 10,000 ft should be restricted to life and limb saving surgeries, and logistics should be focused more on "scoop and run" than "stay and play" policy.
BACKGROUND: The variation in heights beyond high altitude has different effects on the cardiorespiratory profile of individuals because of variation in oxygen density with every thousand feet. This study was planned to analyze and compare the effects of difference in altitudes on cardiorespiratory profile from anesthesiologist's point of view. METHODS: A multicenter observational study was done involving two different groups of 600 patients at 10,000 ft (Group A) and 15,000 ft (Group B). Observation and comparison of oxygen saturation, 6-min walk test, and breath holding time was carried out. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of subjects in Group A had oxygen saturation of more than 93% in comparison to 5.5% in Group B. This was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Two percent of subjects in Group A in comparison to 63.5% of Group B had oxygen saturation of less than 88% (P < 0.001). Percentage increase of more than 15% of heart rate was found to be statistically significant in all the age groups. Overall, 3.8% of individuals in Group A had breath holding time less than 15 s in comparison to 16.6% of individuals in Group B (P value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that there is a significant fall in oxygen saturation, significant rise in the heart rate in 6-min walk test, and significant fall in the breath holding time in the group located at 15,000 ft. Heights beyond 10,000 ft should be restricted to life and limb saving surgeries, and logistics should be focused more on "scoop and run" than "stay and play" policy.
Authors: J B West; P H Hackett; K H Maret; J S Milledge; R M Peters; C J Pizzo; R M Winslow Journal: J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol Date: 1983-09
Authors: Michael P W Grocott; Daniel S Martin; Denny Z H Levett; Roger McMorrow; Jeremy Windsor; Hugh E Montgomery Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-01-08 Impact factor: 91.245