Pulmonary Gas Exchange in Nonnative Residents of High Altitude

Abstract

A B S T R A C T This study represented an initial attempt, by means of cross-sectional investigation, to determine the effects of chronic exposure to high altitude on pulmonary gas exchange. Single-breath DLco and its components were determined at rest and during muscular work in two groups of healthy, non-smoking, sea level natives who had initiated 1-16 yr of residence at 3,100 m altitude either during physical maturation (at age 10±4 yr) or as adults (at age 26±4 yr). The relative degree of acclimatization achieved in these lowland residents was assessed through their comparison both with normal sea-level values and with two additional groups of short-term sojourners and natives to 3,100 m. DLco at rest and work was significantly elevated above normal and above sojourner values in both groups of resident lowlanders at 3,100 m. The high DLCo in the native to 3,100 m was closely approximated in the younger resident lowlander at rest, but only during exercise in the adult resident lowlander. The high DLco at rest and during exercise in the resident lowlanders was not attributable to differences in Hb concentration or in alveolar lung volume; and was accompanied primarily by an increased estimated Dmco and to a lesser extent by an expanded Vc. The interpretation and implications of these findings were limited by the low quantitative capability of Vc and Dmco estimates and by the cross-sectional nature of the study. Nevertheless, the higher than normal DLco and Dmco in the non-native, long-term resident of 3,100 m was substantial, highly significant statistically, and consistent over a wide range of metabolic rates at rest and work. These data provide, then, a reasonable rationale upon which longitudinal experiments may be based to determine the true effects of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary gas exchange in man.

Improvement in lung diffusion by endothelin A receptor blockade at high altitude

“…Increased lung diffusing capacity at high altitude allows for the preservation of gas exchange in the presence of a decreased ventilatory response at exercise (15). High-altitude newcomers do not benefit from this adaptation (10,15,25) and, accordingly, depend on increased ventilation to maintain pulmonary gas exchange (15,45).Previous studies on lung diffusing capacity at high altitudes calculated the membrane and capillary components of alveolocapillary transfer of carbon monoxide (CO) using measurements at ambient air and increased inspired PO 2 (10,13,15,25). This approach rests on the PO 2 dependence of , the blood's specific transfer conductance of CO, in the Roughton and Forster equation, which states that 1/DL CO ϭ 1/Dm ϩ 1/ Vc where DL CO is the diffusing capacity of the lung for CO, Dm its membrane component, and Vc the capillary blood volume (37).…”

“…Pharmacological pulmonary vasodilation improves the membrane component of lung diffusion in high-altitude newcomers, which may contribute to exercise capacity. altitude; hypoxia; lung diffusion; gas exchange; exercise capacity; pulmonary vascular resistance; pulmonary capillary pressure; pulmonary hypertension BOTH THE MEMBRANE AND THE capillary components of lung diffusing capacity have been shown to be increased in highaltitude residents (10,13,15,25). Increased lung diffusing capacity at high altitude allows for the preservation of gas exchange in the presence of a decreased ventilatory response at exercise (15).…”

“…Increased lung diffusing capacity at high altitude allows for the preservation of gas exchange in the presence of a decreased ventilatory response at exercise (15). High-altitude newcomers do not benefit from this adaptation (10,15,25) and, accordingly, depend on increased ventilation to maintain pulmonary gas exchange (15,45).…”

“…Previous studies on lung diffusing capacity at high altitudes calculated the membrane and capillary components of alveolocapillary transfer of carbon monoxide (CO) using measurements at ambient air and increased inspired PO 2 (10,13,15,25). This approach rests on the PO 2 dependence of , the blood's specific transfer conductance of CO, in the Roughton and Forster equation, which states that 1/DL CO ϭ 1/Dm ϩ 1/ Vc where DL CO is the diffusing capacity of the lung for CO, Dm its membrane component, and Vc the capillary blood volume (37).…”

“…BOTH THE MEMBRANE AND THE capillary components of lung diffusing capacity have been shown to be increased in highaltitude residents (10,13,15,25). Increased lung diffusing capacity at high altitude allows for the preservation of gas exchange in the presence of a decreased ventilatory response at exercise (15).…”