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. 2018 Jan-Feb;11(1):20-24.
doi: 10.5935/1984-0063.20180005.

Sleep respiratory disturbances during the ascent to Mount Aconcagua

Alvaro Emilio Ortiz-Naretto  1   2   3 , Miriam Patricia Pereiro  4   2 , Glenda Ernst  3 , Eduardo Enrique Borsini  3
Affiliations

Sleep respiratory disturbances during the ascent to Mount Aconcagua

Alvaro Emilio Ortiz-Naretto et al. Sleep Sci. 2018 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Mountaineers exposed to hypobaric hypoxia (HH) show high-altitude periodic breathing (PB).

Objective: To analyze high-altitude PB during the ascent of Mount Aconcagua (Argentina).

Materials and methods: Descriptive study in healthy volunteers using respiratory polygraphy (RP) at different altitudes.

Results: We studied 8 andinist, mean age: 36 years old (25-51), body mass index (BMI) of 23.6 (20.9-28.7) and 22.77 (20.9-27.7) upon return, p<0.01. RP without PB showed a lower Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) and a lower Apnea-Hypopnea-Index (AHI); 5.43 (0 - 20) versus 45.95 (2-122) p<0.001 and 3.9 (0-15.5) versus 44.35 (4-115) p<0.001. AHI increased with altitude at the expense of central apneas and hypopneas: p<0.05.

Conclusion: High-altitude PB is frequent above 2,581m.a.s.l. And it is characterized by short cycles. None of the mountaineers showed PB at baseline; however, high-altitude PB occurred in all subjects above 4,900 m.a.s.l.

Keywords: Cheyne-Stokes Respiration; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Sleep Apnea, Central.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Increase in AHI observed at higher altitudes. Gradual increase in the number of central apneas and hypopneas with regard to altitude above sea level. Note the marked increase in the number of events recorded above 4300 m.a.s.l. relationship between obstructive apneas and height (not statiscally significant).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) per hour; 3% threshhold with regard to ascent.
Figure 3
Figure 3
PB identified during ascent to higher altitudes above sea level. The PB is not evident in the basal polygraphy recording (746 msnm), increases with height and is evident in all of them at high altitude (> 4900 m.a.s.l.).
Figure 4
Figure 4
A. Increasing / decreasing PB with hypopnea, B. apnea/hyperpnoea PB with apnea central.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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