Recruiting

Effect of Acute Hypoxia on RIght VEntRicular Function in Asthma.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07431580

PhaseNA

Enrollment18

SponsorMona Lichtblau

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Hypoxia, Altitude, Hypoxia, Normobaric Hypoxia, Right Ventricular Function

About this study

More and more people are engaging in sports in the mountains, including individuals with heart or lung diseases. At the same time, such diseases are becoming more common in Switzerland. At high altitude, less oxygen is available, which places stress on the body-particularly on the heart, which has to pump blood through the lungs. How the heart, especially the right ventricle, in people with asthma responds to this stress is still not well understood. Therefore, this study investigates how the heart responds to simulated altitudes of 2,500 m and 4,000 m, both at rest and during light physical activity in patients with asthma. The primary objective is to assess how right ventricular function changes under conditions of reduced oxygen availability. In addition, vital signs, changes in blood gases, oxygen levels in blood and tissue and shortness of breath are assessed. The "altitude" is simulated using a special gas mixture that participants inhale. Participants undergo three altitude conditions (490, 2,500, and 4,000 m above sea level). The order of the altitude conditions is assigned at random. The aim is to better understand how the right ventricle and other parameters respond to low-oxygen conditions and how affected patients can be better supported in the future.

Interventions

Other: Normobaric Hypoxia — Normobaric hypoxia according to 408m (control/normobaric normoxia), 2500 m and 4000 m above sea-level at rest for 1 hour and at low intensity cycling for 10 minutes (5 min 30 W, 5 min 60 W).

Primary outcomes

Right ventricular free wall strain (It will be assessed once at baseline in rest and during each condition three times: Once after 1 hour in the specific condition at rest, then during the 5 min of 30 Watt cycling and during the 5 min of 60 Watt cycling.)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Signed informed consent * Diagnosed and well controlled asthma bronchiale * 18-80 years (age group young: 18-39.99 years / age group older: 40-80 years) * All sex and genders * Living \<800m and without altitude exposure \> 2500 m and \> 24h within the last three weeks Exclusion Criteria: * \<18, \>80 years old * Any other diagnosed cardiopulmonary condition including past HAPE * Other clinically significant severe concomitant disease states (e.g. renal, hepatic dysfunction, etc.) * Inability to follow the procedures of the study due to language problems, psychological neurological disorders or orthopaedic disorders * Participants permanently living \>800m and altitude exposure \> 2500 m and \>24h within the last three weeks * Pregnancy: Participants will be asked if pregnant or not, no screening for undetected pregnancy * Lactating women * Participation in other study with active treatment

Study locations

Consultant Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Canton of Zurich 8091 Switzerland

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-30.