Why the study?
Does chronic high-altitude exposure alter ventricular structure, function, and mechanics compared to short-term exposure or sea-level baseline in healthy males?
Population
20 healthy males free from respiratory and cardiovascular disease, comprising 11 Nepalese highland Sherpa…
Comparison
Chronic high-altitude exposure and short-term… vs Lowlanders at sea level (344 m).
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
10 ± 3 days (for lowlander high-altitude exposure)
Authors
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Cardiac imaging in high-altitude natives warrants cautious interpretation; leaves open whether adaptations are protective or require intervention.
Does chronic high-altitude exposure alter ventricular structure, function, and mechanics compared to short-term exposure or sea-level baseline in healthy males?
Chronic hypoxic exposure in Sherpa is associated with structural and functional cardiac adaptation, including smaller LV volumes and altered diastolic relaxation, which is distinct from the acute changes seen in lowlanders.
Stembridge et al. (2014) studied this question.
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