END TIDAL CO2 LEVELS, ADJUSTMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

During the increase of the physical activity the CO2 pressure increases from mild to moderate effort at the end tidal CO2 (PET CO2).

Objetive: Our target was to determine the PETCO2 values at rest and after the 6-minute walk test at different heights, as an indicator of severity or mountain climbers’ maladaptation to altitudes.

Design: This is a retrospective observational study.

Methods: The variables of exposition were the measurement of the HR, RF, CO2 and SO2 at rest and in the 6-minute walk test, in three campgrounds.

Results: 8 volunteers were included to reach Cerro Plata peak in Argentina (6000 meters). The delta HR index increased to 9 (IC 8-11, p 0.001) beats per minutes as they climbed up. However, when they were compared by groups, the ones who reached the peak had 5 (IC 3-7, p 0.001) beats per minute less than to those who did not make it to the top. The SO2 delta globally increased a 3% in each campground (IC 2-5, p 0.001), still the group which reached the top showed a delta variation of -2% (IC -6 a 1, p 0.21). The delta PETCO2 globally increased a 0.72 in each campground (IC 0.05-1.38, p 0.03), though the group which reached the top showed a delta variation of -3% (IC -4 a -1, p 0.001).

Conclusions: A high delta HR would result in the only parameter of bad prognosis in higher campgrounds. Both parameters (SaO2 - PETCO2) showed a lower delta in the 6-minute walk test for those who reached the top.