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NCT Number: NCT07801846

Assessment of Heart Rate Variability HRV During Descent DE From 2850m to Sea Level and During Re-ascent A From Sea Level to 2850m in Healthy Individuals H

To study the effect of relocation from high altitude (Quito Ecuador: 2850m) to sea level and re-ascent from sea level to 2850m on heart rate variability and other hemodynamic parameters in healthy individuals, who live permanently >2600m.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Altitude Sickness Arrhythmias, Cardiac Cardiovascular Diseases ECG Abnormalities Healthy Adult Heart Diseases Heart Rate Variability (HRV) High Altitude High Altitude Effects Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital of Zurich

Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

About this study

The aim of this research is to investigate the heart rate variability and other hemodynamic outcomes during the descent from 2850m to sea level and during re-ascent from sea level to 2850m in healthy individuals, who permanently live at high altitude over 2600m

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18-80 years and of all genders
  • Permanent residence > 2600 m
  • healthy: no self perceived cardiopulmonary disease limiting daily activities
  • written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Age <18 years or >80 years
  • Participants who cannot follow the study investigations
  • Participants permanently living < 2600m
  • Participants who traveled and stayed overnight at altitudes <2000 m in the past 4 weeks.
  • any self-perceived cardiopulmonary disease limiting daily activities

Treatment and study plan

Descent and re-ascent (2850m, sea level)

Behavioral

Descent from 2850m to sea level (in one day by bus) and re-ascent after 7 days from sea level to 2850m (in one day by bus)

Primary outcomes

  1. Heart rate variability HRV during descent and re-ascent

    Time frame: From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

    Difference/change in heart rate variability at different altitudes during descent (2850m to sea level) and during re-ascent after 7 days (sea level to 2850m) in healthy individuals

Secondary outcomes

  1. SpO2 during descent and re-ascent

    Time frame: From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

    Difference/change in SpO2 at different altitudes during descent (2850m to sea level) and during re-ascent after 7 days (sea level to 2850m) in healthy individuals

  2. ECG-Repolarization during descent and re-ascent

    Time frame: From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

    Occurrence/changes in cardial arrhythmias at different altitudes during descent (2850m to sea level) and during re-ascent after 7 days (sea level to 2850m) in healthy individuals

  3. Cardial arrhythmias during descent and re-ascent

    Time frame: From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

    Occurrence/changes in cardial arrhythmias at different altitudes during descent (2850m to sea level) and during re-ascent after 7 days (sea level to 2850m) in healthy individuals

  4. Pulse transit time during descent and re-ascent

    Time frame: From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

    Occurrence and difference/change in pulse transit time (drops) at different altitudes during descent (2850m to sea level) and during re-ascent after 7 days (sea level to 2850m) in healthy individuals

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Michael Furian, Prof. Dr. sc. ETH

CONTACT

+41442552220

Silvia Ulrich, Prof. Dr. med.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+41442552220

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Silvia Ulrich Somaini

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a One-week Descent From 2850m to Sea Level and Re-ascent in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Healthy Controls Permanently Living > 2600m on Pulmonary Hemodynamics, Exercise Capacity, Blood Oxygenation, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Further Outcomes

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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