Effect of acetazolamide on pulmonary vascular haemodynamics in patients with COPD going to altitude: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND: COPD may predispose to symptomatic pulmonary hypertension at high altitude. We investigated haemodynamic changes in lowlanders with COPD ascending to 3100 m and evaluated whether preventive acetazolamide treatment would attenuate the altitude-induced increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). METHODS: In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trial, patients with COPD Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grades 2–3 who were living <800 m and had peripheral oxygen saturation (S(pO(2))) >92% and arterial carbon dioxide tension <6 kPa were randomised to receive either acetazolamide (125–250 mg·day(−1)) or placebo capsules, starting 24 h before ascent from 760 m and during a 2-day stay at 3100 m. Echocardiography, pulse oximetry and clinical assessments were performed at 760 m and after the first night at 3100 m. Primary outcome was PAP assessed by tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG). RESULTS: 112 patients (68% men, mean±sd age 59±8 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 61±12% pred, S(pO(2)) 95±2%) were included. Mean±sd TRPG increased from 22±7 to 30±10 mmHg in 54 patients allocated to placebo and from 20±5 to 24±7 mmHg in 58 patients allocated to acetazolamide (both p<0.05) resulting in a mean (95% CI) treatment effect of −5 (−9 to −1) mmHg (p=0.015). In patients assigned to placebo at 760/3100 m, mean±sd S(pO(2)) was 95±2%/88±3%; in the acetazolamide group, the respective values were 94±2%/90±3% (both p<0.05), resulting in a treatment effect of +2 (1 to 3)% (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In lowlanders with COPD travelling to 3100 m, preventive acetazolamide treatment attenuated the altitude-induced rise in PAP and improved oxygenation.