Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at Altitude - Effect of Nocturnal Oxygen on Exercise Performance
Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at Altitude - Effect of Nocturnal Oxygen on Exercise Performance
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy during a
 stay at moderate altitude on exercise performance of patients with chronic obstructive lung
 disease.
Patients with moderate to severe COPD living below 800 m, will be recruited to participate in
 a randomized cross-over field trial evaluating the hypothesis that exercise capacity during a
 2 day sojourn at moderate altitude is improved by nocturnal oxygen therapy via a nasal
 cannula. Outcomes will be assessed during 2 days in Zurich (490 m, low altitude baseline),
 and during 2 days at St. Moritz Salastrains (2048 m).
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), GOLD grade 2-3

 -  residents at low altitude (<800 m)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  unstable condition, COPD exacerbation

 -  mild (GOLD 1) or very severe COPD (GOLD 4)

 -  requirement for oxygen therapy at low altitude residence

 -  hypoventilation

 -  pulmonary hypertension

 -  more than mild or unstable cardiovascular disease

 -  use of drugs that affect respiratory center drive

 -  internal, neurologic or psychiatric disease that interfere with protocol compliance
 including current heavy smoking (>20 cigarettes per day), inability to perform 6 min
 walk test.

 -  previous intolerance to moderate altitude (<2600m).

 -  exposure to altitudes >1500m for >2 days within the last 4 weeks before the study.

 -  pregnant or nursing patients