Impact of high altitude on echocardiographically determined cardiac morphology and function in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy controls.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of high altitude on cardiac morphology and function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy controls.

Methods And Results: Eight patients with a history of acute myocardial infarction [53 +/- 8 years, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 54 +/- 6%] and a low risk score were compared with seven healthy controls (41 +/- 16 years) during the Dutch Heart Expedition 2007 at the Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina. An exercise test and echocardiography were performed at sea level and at base camp (4200 m).