Publication: Relationship Between Arterial Oxygen Saturation and Hematocrit, and Effect of Slow Deep Breathing on Oxygen Saturation in Himalayan High Altitude Populations
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Backgroud
The oxygen saturation of haemoglobin is reduced in high altitude-living organisms.
Increase in the hematocrit is responsible for rise in the hemoglobin concentration
so that the oxygen carrying capacity in the hypobaric hypoxic subject is elevated.
Objectives
To compare two different high altitude populations, in order to study the relationship
between arterial oxygen saturation and hematocrit.
Methods
lIn the cross-sectional study of two populations residing at altitude of 2800 m and
3760 m are compared for the difference in hematocrit. The oxygen carrying capacity
of arterial haemoglobin (SaO2) is determined by pulse oximetry. The sample is
drawn from the natives of two small villages, Thini at Jomsom (2800 m) and Jharkot
(3760 m) in Mustang district of Nepal. The natives at 2800 m are termed as lower
high altitude population and local residents at 3760 m are said to be higher altitude
population in this study. The sample blood was drawn by venipuncture and packed
cell volume was determined by Wintrobe’s method.
Results
The hematocrit obtained from 3760 m altitude population and the lower high
altitude population at altitude of 2800 m differ significantly with the p value <
0.0001and the SaO2 in both the population fails to show any difference with p
value > 0.05. Deep breathing exercise in these populations however increased SaO2
significantly.
Conclusion
The higher altitude natives have greater arterial oxygen saturation than lower
altitude population which is due to rise in red cell concentration. The slow deep
breathing raises oxygen saturation irrespective of altitude.
KEY WORDS
High altitude, hematocrit, pulse, oximeter, SaO2, slow deep breathing
Description
Nepal O,1 Pokharel BR,1 Khanal K,2 Mallik SL,1 Kapoor BK,1 Koju R3
1Department of Physiology
2Department of Community Medicine
3Department of Internal Medicine
Dhulikhel Hospital, kathmandu University Hospital Kathmandu University Medical School, Dhulikhel Kavre, Nepa