Rose D M, Fleck B, Thews O, Kamin W E
Institute of Occupational-, Social- and Environmental Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
Eur J Med Res. 2000 Jan 26;5(1):9-12.
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) represent a special risk for commercial airlines. Even on ground conditions the oxygen partial pressure (paO subset2) of these patients is partially clearly reduced. The reduced air pressure on board of an airplane can cause a drop of the paO subset2 to a critical point (below 50 mmHg) during a flight. Therefore, medical assistance or at least oxygen-supply over a longer time period could be necessary. Aim of this study was to investigate reaction and clinical outcome of patients with CF during a hypobaric-chamber-flight at altitudes of 2. 000 and 3.000 m to appraise their risk for a flight-trip.
10 CF-patients (age 19-35 years, mean age 30 y) were investigated in a hypobaric chamber prior to an already booked flight-trip to the Baleares (Spain). Lung-function, oxygen saturation (SO subset2) and paO subset2 by pressure adjusted blood gas analysis were measured on ground level, at 2.000 m and 3.000 m pressure-altitude.
Forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) over the entire group was 2. 9 l (range 1.4 to 4.0 l), forced expiratory 1-second volume (FEV subset1) 2.08 l/sec (range: 1.22 to 3.61 l/sec). Values dropped slightly at 3.000 m chamber altitude (VC=2.7 l, FEV subset1=1.95 l/sec). SO subset2 decreased from 95 % on ground to 89% at 2.000 m and 86 % at 3.000 m chamber altitude. paO2 decreased from 79.5 mmHg at ground level to 60 mmHg at 2000m and 45.5 mmHg at 3.000 m. Only one patient with a paO subset2 of 52 mmHg didn t fall below the critical flight limit of 50 mmHg. No patient felt below a paO subset2 of 40 mmHg. No patient experienced dyspnea during the chamber flight. Two patients without subjective symptoms before the chamber flight developed mild ear blocks during descent presumably due to swollen polyps. Complaints improved quickly by applying decongestant nose-spray. -
The results of the chamber flights indicate that chronically adapted adult lung disease patients without accompanying heart disease and a paO subset2 of > 40 mmHg during flight can anticipate a safe flight trip. These results could be confirmed by the consecutive flight trip to Spain.
囊性纤维化（CF）患者乘坐商业航班存在特殊风险。即使在地面条件下，这些患者的氧分压（paO₂）也会部分明显降低。飞机上气压降低可能导致飞行过程中paO₂降至临界点（低于50mmHg）。因此，可能需要医疗援助或至少长时间供氧。本研究的目的是调查CF患者在2000米和3000米高度的低压舱飞行中的反应和临床结果，以评估他们飞行旅行的风险。
10名CF患者（年龄19 - 35岁，平均年龄30岁）在已预订前往巴利阿里群岛（西班牙）的飞行旅行前，在低压舱中接受调查。在地面、2000米和3000米压力高度下测量肺功能、氧饱和度（SO₂）和通过压力调整血气分析测得的paO₂。
整个组的用力呼气肺活量（FVC）为2.9升（范围1.4至4.0升），用力呼气1秒量（FEV₁）为2.08升/秒（范围：1.22至3.61升/秒）。在3000米舱内高度时，数值略有下降（VC = 2.7升，FEV₁ = 1.95升/秒）。SO₂从地面的95%降至2000米时的89%和3000米舱内高度时的86%。paO₂从地面水平的79.5mmHg降至2000米时的60mmHg和3000米时的45.5mmHg。只有一名paO₂为52mmHg的患者未低于50mmHg的临界飞行限值。没有患者的paO₂低于40mmHg。在舱内飞行期间没有患者出现呼吸困难。两名在舱内飞行前无主观症状的患者在下降过程中出现轻度耳闷，可能是由于息肉肿胀所致。使用减充血剂滴鼻剂后症状迅速改善。
舱内飞行结果表明，无伴发心脏病且飞行期间paO₂>40mmHg的慢性适应性成年肺部疾病患者可以预期安全的飞行旅行。这些结果在随后前往西班牙的飞行旅行中得到了证实。
