Hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients during a commercial flight

Authors:
  • CCC. C. Christensen
    C. C. Christensen
  • AEA. Edvardsen
    A. Edvardsen
  • OSO. H. Skjønsberg
    O. H. Skjønsberg
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients during a commercial flight.The effect of a commercial flight, lasting 5 h 40 min, on arterial blood gas levels and symptoms in 18 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with a pre-flight percutaneous oxygen saturation of ≥94% and self-reported ability to walk 50 m without severe dyspnoea was studied.The arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2) decreased from sea level to cruising altitude (10.3±1.2versus8.6±0.8 kPa), but, thereafter, except for one patient, remained stable throughout the flight. During light exercise, however, there was further desaturation (percutaneous oxygen saturation 90±4versus87±4%). After 4 h, a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension (5.0±0.4versus4.8±0.4 kPa) and an increase in cardiac frequency (87±13versus95±13 beats·min-1) were observed. A pre-flightPa,O2of >9.3 kPa did not secure an acceptable in-flightPa,O2. Aerobic capacity showed the strongest correlation with in-flightPa,O2.In conclusion, following an initial decrease in arterial oxygen tension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a stable state of their disease seem to maintain a stable arterial oxygen tension throughout a flight of intermediate duration, except when walking along the aisle. However, a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension, indicating compensatory hyperventilation, could imply a risk of respiratory fatigue during longer flights.

This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit: