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

August 31, 2026 updated by: Silvia Ulrich Somaini

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

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.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

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

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

14

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Michael Furian, Prof. Dr. sc. ETH
  • Phone Number: +41442552220

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
      • Zurich, Switzerland, 8091
        • University Hospital of Zurich

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Heart rate variability HRV during descent and re-ascent
Assessment of heart rate variability and other hemodynamic outcomes in healthy individuals during descent from 2850m to sea level and during re-ascent from sea level (after one week stay) back to their living altitude at 2850m
Behavioral: Descent and re-ascent (2850m, sea level)
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)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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
From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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
From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)
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
From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)
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
From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)
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
From day of descent (day 1) and day of re-ascent (day 8)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Silvia Ulrich Somaini

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Silvia Ulrich, University Hospital Zurich, Departement of Pulmonology
  • Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Hoyos, Hospital Carlos Andrade Marin of Quito, Ecuador

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 25, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 4, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 31, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 31, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Ec_DEvsA_HRV_H

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Data will be provided upon request and based on a clear intention reviewed by an ethical review board.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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