Randomized controlled trial shows acetazolamide did not significantly reduce pulmonary artery pressure in healthy adults, suggesting complexities in altitude adaptation.
Key Points
Preventive acetazolamide treatment did not significantly decrease pulmonary artery pressure in healthy adults at altitude.
Primary outcome showed systolic PAP was 22.0 mm Hg under placebo versus 21.6 mm Hg under acetazolamide after altitude exposure.
Echocardiography revealed alterations in hemodynamics, with decreased oxygen delivery and cardiac output in the acetazolamide group.
Findings suggest that while acetazolamide may improve arterial oxygenation, it may not effectively counteract altitude-induced changes in right heart function.