name

 

 

Hypoxia 2009 Speakers
Simon Gibbs
Senior Lecturer in Cardiology, National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, London
Email: simongibbs@compuserve.com
Talk Title: Biventricular Function at High Altitude
Session: The Heart at High Altitude
Abstract: In chronic hypoxia stroke volume falls both at rest and on exercise. A clear explanation for this has not been forthcoming. The fall in stroke volume is associated with reduction in left ventricular dimensions and filling pressure. An obvious explanation for this is the reduction in plasma volume observed at high altitude, but this does not appear to be the whole story. Increased pulmonary vascular resistance leads to right ventricular pressure overload. This may impair right ventricular function and lead to increased tricuspid regurgitation both of which would limit stroke volume, most notably on exercise. Interaction between the right and left ventricles, which share a common septum and are potentially constrained in volume by the pericardium, may impair diastolic left ventricular filling as a consequence of right ventricular pressure overload, and hence reduce stroke volume. Even at the summit of Mount Everest left ventricular systolic function appears to remain within normal limits. Significant left ventricular diastolic function is questionable because although mechanisms which may impair this are present at high altitude, hemodynamic measurements of diastolic function are fraught with difficulty. The relative importance of these different mechanisms which reduce stroke volume probably depends whether hemodynamics are measured at rest or on exercise. The mechanism of reduced stroke volume may be multifactorial.

List of Publications via PubMed

 

 

 

 

 

For any questions, please email us!

Home - Abstracts - Contact - Lodging - Program - Registration - Search