Systemic oxygen extraction during exercise at high altitude
Systemic oxygen extraction during exercise at high altitude
Background
Classic teaching suggests that diminished availability of oxygen leads to increased tissue oxygen extraction yet evidence to support this notion in the context of hypoxaemia, as opposed to anaemia or cardiac failure, is limited.
Methods
At 75 m above sea level, and after 7–8 days of acclimatization to 4559 m, systemic oxygen extraction [C(a?v)O2] was calculated in five participants at rest and at peak exercise. Absolute [C(a?v)O2] was calculated by subtracting central venous oxygen content (CcvO2) from arterial oxygen content (CaO2) in blood sampled from central venous and peripheral arterial catheters, respectively. Oxygen uptake (V.O2) was determined from expired gas analysis during exercise.
Results
Ascent to altitude resulted in significant hypoxaemia; median (range) SpO2 87.1 (82.5–90.7)% and PaO2 6.6 (5.7–6.8) kPa. While absolute C(a?v)O2 was reduced at maximum exercise at 4559 m [83.9 (67.5–120.9) ml litre?1 vs 99.6 (88.0–151.3) ml litre?1 at 75 m, P=0.043], there was no change in oxygen extraction ratio (OER) [C(a?v)O2/CaO2] between the two altitudes [0.52 (0.48–0.71) at 4559 m and 0.53 (0.49–0.73) at 75 m, P=0.500]. Comparison of C(a?v)O2 at peak V.O2 at 4559 m and the equivalent V.O2 at sea level for each participant also revealed no significant difference [83.9 (67.5–120.9) ml litre1 vs 81.2 (73.0–120.7) ml litre?1, respectively, P=0.225].
Conclusion
In acclimatized individuals at 4559 m, there was a decline in maximum absolute C(a?v)O2 during exercise but no alteration in OER calculated using central venous oxygen measurements. This suggests that oxygen extraction may have become limited after exposure to 7–8 days of hypoxaemia.
altitude, blood gas analysis, exercise, hypoxia, oxygen, physiology
1-6
Martin, D.S.
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Cobb, A.
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Meale, P.
be1c1265-6b3e-4d3e-9bc8-f98dfb96ee04
Mitchell, K.
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Edsell, M.
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Mythen, M.G.
c82ab585-86d5-44f8-bd3c-ead87c59d459
Grocott, M.P.W.
1e87b741-513e-4a22-be13-0f7bb344e8c2
13 December 2014
Martin, D.S.
7b361e2e-e936-4bcc-9c54-3f5607b2e863
Cobb, A.
31032ae9-62e1-4b5c-ba07-fec483da1dda
Meale, P.
be1c1265-6b3e-4d3e-9bc8-f98dfb96ee04
Mitchell, K.
f57f07cd-0e3a-48b2-a871-c436eec325ae
Edsell, M.
8248a408-2e10-4e43-a8c9-8064c9ff50a5
Mythen, M.G.
c82ab585-86d5-44f8-bd3c-ead87c59d459
Grocott, M.P.W.
1e87b741-513e-4a22-be13-0f7bb344e8c2
Martin, D.S., Cobb, A., Meale, P., Mitchell, K., Edsell, M., Mythen, M.G. and Grocott, M.P.W.
(2014)
Systemic oxygen extraction during exercise at high altitude.
British Journal of Anaesthesia, .
(doi:10.1093/bja/aeu404).
(PMID:25501722)
Abstract
Background
Classic teaching suggests that diminished availability of oxygen leads to increased tissue oxygen extraction yet evidence to support this notion in the context of hypoxaemia, as opposed to anaemia or cardiac failure, is limited.
Methods
At 75 m above sea level, and after 7–8 days of acclimatization to 4559 m, systemic oxygen extraction [C(a?v)O2] was calculated in five participants at rest and at peak exercise. Absolute [C(a?v)O2] was calculated by subtracting central venous oxygen content (CcvO2) from arterial oxygen content (CaO2) in blood sampled from central venous and peripheral arterial catheters, respectively. Oxygen uptake (V.O2) was determined from expired gas analysis during exercise.
Results
Ascent to altitude resulted in significant hypoxaemia; median (range) SpO2 87.1 (82.5–90.7)% and PaO2 6.6 (5.7–6.8) kPa. While absolute C(a?v)O2 was reduced at maximum exercise at 4559 m [83.9 (67.5–120.9) ml litre?1 vs 99.6 (88.0–151.3) ml litre?1 at 75 m, P=0.043], there was no change in oxygen extraction ratio (OER) [C(a?v)O2/CaO2] between the two altitudes [0.52 (0.48–0.71) at 4559 m and 0.53 (0.49–0.73) at 75 m, P=0.500]. Comparison of C(a?v)O2 at peak V.O2 at 4559 m and the equivalent V.O2 at sea level for each participant also revealed no significant difference [83.9 (67.5–120.9) ml litre1 vs 81.2 (73.0–120.7) ml litre?1, respectively, P=0.225].
Conclusion
In acclimatized individuals at 4559 m, there was a decline in maximum absolute C(a?v)O2 during exercise but no alteration in OER calculated using central venous oxygen measurements. This suggests that oxygen extraction may have become limited after exposure to 7–8 days of hypoxaemia.
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More information
Published date: 13 December 2014
Keywords:
altitude, blood gas analysis, exercise, hypoxia, oxygen, physiology
Organisations:
Clinical & Experimental Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 372855
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/372855
ISSN: 0007-0912
PURE UUID: 073f6580-becd-4f24-92a9-e522b5d39f5f
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Date deposited: 23 Dec 2014 15:02
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 04:02
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Contributors
Author:
D.S. Martin
Author:
A. Cobb
Author:
P. Meale
Author:
K. Mitchell
Author:
M. Edsell
Author:
M.G. Mythen
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