How the Right Side of the Heart Works During Short-Term Low Oxygen Exposure in Adults with Asthma A Randomized, Double-Blind Study Using Simulated Altitudes of 490 m, 2,500 m, and 4,000 m Assessing Heart Function at Rest and During Light Exercise

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how the right side of the heart, especially the right ventricle, reacts to short-term exposure to low oxygen levels in adults with asthma. It focuses on simulated altitudes of 490 m, 2,500 m, and 4,000 m to see how oxygen reduction impacts heart function both at rest and during light exercise. This study uses a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design to compare heart responses under these different oxygen conditions. Participants inhale special gas mixtures that create conditions matching these altitudes while resting for one hour and then during 10 minutes of low-intensity cycling exercise. The study includes multiple sequences of altitude exposure to ensure each participant experiences all three conditions in a random order, with wash-out periods between them. During the study visits, vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored continuously. Heart function is assessed using non-invasive ultrasound imaging at rest and during exercise. Blood samples are collected to analyze various biomarkers. Participants may complete the study over two to three days, with detailed symptom assessments and monitoring to understand how the heart and other body systems respond to low oxygen in asthma.

Effect of Acute Hypoxia on RIght VEntRicular Function in Asthma.