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Effect of Acetazolamide on Right Ventricular Function at Rest in Patients With Respiratory Disease at Altitude

Effect of Acetazolamide on Right Ventricular Function at Rest in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at Altitude. A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Parallel Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03173508
Enrollment
110
Registered
2017-06-01
Start date
2017-05-24
Completion date
2018-08-02
Last updated
2019-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Keywords

right ventricular function, echocardiography, obstructive airway disease, emphysema, acetazolamide, altitude

Brief summary

This trial will evaluate the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on right ventricular function at acute altitude exposure in patients with COPD.

Detailed description

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel trial evaluating the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on right ventricular function at rest in lowlanders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease travelling to altitude. Participants living in the Bishkek area, Kyrgyzstan (760m), will be transferred by car within 4h to the Tuja Ashu high altitude clinic (3200 m), and stay there for 2 days. Acetazolamide 375mg/day (or placebo) will be administered 24 hours before departure at 760 m and during the stay at altitude. Outcomes will be assessed during the stay at 3200 m. Right ventricular function will be assessed by transthoracic echocardiography.

Interventions

Administration of 125mg acetazolamide in the morning, 250mg in the evening, starting 24 hours before departure to 3200m

DRUGPlacebo oral capsule

Administration of equally looking placebo capsules in the morning and evening, starting 24 hours before departure to 3200m

Sponsors

National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine named after academician M.Mirrakhimov
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
University of Zurich
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Male and female patients, age 18-75 yrs. * COPD diagnosed according to GOLD, FEV1 40-80% predicted, SpO2 ≥92% at 750 m. * Born, raised and currently living at low altitude (\<800m). * Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* COPD exacerbation, very severe COPD with hypoxemia at low altitude (FEV1/FVC \<0.7, FEV1 \<40% predicted, oxygen saturation on room air \<92% at 750 m). * Comorbidities such as uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, i.e., unstable systemic arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease; previous stroke; OSA; pneumothorax in the last 2 months. * Internal, neurologic, rheumatologic or psychiatric disease including current heavy smoking (\>20 cigarettes per day) * Known renal failure or allergy to acetazolamide and other sulfonamides

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
pulmonary artery pressureDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (tricuspid pressure gradient and pulmonary valve acceleration time)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
cardiac outputDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of cardiac output between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography
right heart dimensionsDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of right heart dimensions between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography
pulmonary artery pressureDay 2 at 3200mDifference at altitude of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (tricuspid pressure gradient and pulmonary valve acceleration time)
stroke volumeDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of stroke volume between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography
volumesDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of volumes between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography
right heart functionDay 2 at 760m and 3200mDifference in altitude-induced change of right heart function between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TAPSE)

Countries

Kyrgyzstan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026