Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Conditions
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
Administration of equally looking placebo capsules in the morning and evening, starting 24 hours before departure to 3200m
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| pulmonary artery pressure | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference 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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cardiac output | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference in altitude-induced change of cardiac output between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography |
| right heart dimensions | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference in altitude-induced change of right heart dimensions between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography |
| pulmonary artery pressure | Day 2 at 3200m | Difference 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 volume | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference in altitude-induced change of stroke volume between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography |
| volumes | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference in altitude-induced change of volumes between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography |
| right heart function | Day 2 at 760m and 3200m | Difference in altitude-induced change of right heart function between acetazolamide and placebo group, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TAPSE) |
Countries
Kyrgyzstan