Class Contribution Form

Student Name: Leslie Juarez

Reference:
Agostoni, P., Swenson, E. R., Fumagalli, R., Salvioni, E., Cattadori, G., Farina, S., Bonacina, D.,
Brioschi, M., Caravita, S., Modesti, P., Revera, M., Giuliano, A., Meriggi, P., Faini, A., Bilo, G.,
Banfi, C., &Parati, G. (2013). Acute high-altitude exposure reduces lung diffusion: Data from the
highcare alps project. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 188, 223-228.

Brief Summary (250-word max)

Previous studies have suggested that high-altitude exposure results in increased
lung fluid due to decreased oxygen availability while other studies have not confirmed
these findings. However, oxygen saturation (HbO2S) has been shown to decrease acutely
as altitude increases, and altitude acclimation also seemed to affect lung diffusion
positively. Lung gas exchange efficiency is defined as the capacity to diffuse carbon
monoxide, and efficiency is impaired when there’s alveolar-capillary membrane (DM)
resistance and red blood cell resistance. Lung gas inefficiency has been linked to
increased lung fluid due DM. The purpose of this study was to examine fluid build up in
the lungs after acute high-altitude exposure, and if this fluid collection is associated with
tissue damage.
A total of 44 participants volunteered in the study; these volunteers were a part of
a larger project called the HIGHCARE Alps Program. Half of the participants received
acetazolamide (reduces altitude sickness) while the other half received a placebo. Lung
diffusion measurements were taken before, 1 day after high-altitude exposure, and after
3-day acclimation. Lung diffusion measurements consisted of DM, and capillary volume
(VC). All hemodynamic measurements were taken at each stage of the study.
After the 3-day intervention, both groups showed similar increases in hemoglobin
content. However, the acetazolamide group had slighter higher HbO2S than the placebo
group during day 1 and day 3 high-altitude exposure. Overall carbon monoxide diffusion
efficiency was reduced with increasing altitude; this reduction was suggested to be a
result of a reduction in DM. Additionally, lung diffusion significantly decreased on day 1
and further decreased after the 3 days.