Publications by authors named "Sebastian Segitz"
Blood pressure response to exposure to moderate altitude in patients with COPD.
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis
December 2019
Purpose: Patients with COPD might be particularly susceptible to hypoxia-induced autonomic dysregulation. Decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and increased blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) are markers of impaired cardiovascular autonomic regulation and there is evidence for an association between decreased BRS/increased BPV and high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term exposure to moderate altitude on BP and measures of cardiovascular autonomic regulation in COPD patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudy Objectives: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have impaired pulmonary gas exchange near sea level. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether exposure to hypobaric hypoxia during a stay at altitude affects nocturnal oxygen saturation, breathing pattern, and sleep in patients with moderate to severe COPD.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with COPD, median age 67 years, FEV1 59% predicted, PaO2 68 mmHg, living below 800 m, underwent polysomnography and questionnaire evaluations in Zurich (490 m), and in Swiss Alpine villages at 1650 and 2590 m, for two nights each, in random order.
Article Synopsis
- - This study aimed to assess how traveling to high altitudes affects exercise performance and symptoms in lowlanders with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using a randomized crossover trial design.
- - Forty COPD patients participated in the trial, spending two days at different altitudes (490 m, 1,650 m, and 2,590 m) while their exercise capacity (measured by the six-minute walk distance) and health effects were monitored.
- - Results showed that exercise performance decreased significantly at higher altitudes, with about 24% of participants needing oxygen therapy or relocation due to adverse health effects, highlighting the need for caution in advising COPD patients about altitude travel.