Harness hang syncope (HHS) is a risk that specifically affects safety of harness users in mountain climbing. Aims: To evaluate individual patterns of breathing resulting from deranged cardiovascular reflexes triggering a syncopal event when a mismatch between cerebral O2 demand and supply is present. Results: Forty healthy participants [aged 39.1 (8.2) years] were enrolled in a motionless suspension test while hanging in harness. Respiratory gas exchange values were analyzed to assess the pattern of breathing (EpInWel, respiratory elastic power) and cardiovascular parameters were monitored (BP, blood pressure). Four participants experienced HHS after 30.0 (7.6) minutes, with an early manifestation of loss of control of both a sustainable EpInWel and BP, starting after 10-12 minutes. Among the other participants, two different reactions were observed during suspension: (1) group G1 tolerated 32.7 (11.4) minutes of suspension by a favorable adaptation of the EpInWel and BP parameters and (2) group G2 showed significantly shorter time of suspension 24.0 (10.4) minutes with unfavorable increase in EpInWel and BP. Conclusions: Greater resistance to HHS occurs in people developing less marked fluctuations of both respiratory and cardiovascular reflex responses. Conversely, wider fluctuations both in control of EpInWel and BP were observed in the event of decreased suspension tolerance or in syncopal events.

Lanfranconi, F., Ferri, A., Pollastri, L., Bartesaghi, M., Novarina, M., De Vito, G., et al. (2019). Impact of Hanging Motionless in Harness on Respiratory and Blood Pressure Reflex Modulation in Mountain Climbers. HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE & BIOLOGY, 20(2), 122-132 [10.1089/ham.2018.0089].

Impact of Hanging Motionless in Harness on Respiratory and Blood Pressure Reflex Modulation in Mountain Climbers

Lanfranconi, Francesca
Primo
;
Ferri, Alessandra;Pollastri, Luca;De Vito, Giovanni;Beretta, Egidio;Tremolizzo, Lucio
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

Harness hang syncope (HHS) is a risk that specifically affects safety of harness users in mountain climbing. Aims: To evaluate individual patterns of breathing resulting from deranged cardiovascular reflexes triggering a syncopal event when a mismatch between cerebral O2 demand and supply is present. Results: Forty healthy participants [aged 39.1 (8.2) years] were enrolled in a motionless suspension test while hanging in harness. Respiratory gas exchange values were analyzed to assess the pattern of breathing (EpInWel, respiratory elastic power) and cardiovascular parameters were monitored (BP, blood pressure). Four participants experienced HHS after 30.0 (7.6) minutes, with an early manifestation of loss of control of both a sustainable EpInWel and BP, starting after 10-12 minutes. Among the other participants, two different reactions were observed during suspension: (1) group G1 tolerated 32.7 (11.4) minutes of suspension by a favorable adaptation of the EpInWel and BP parameters and (2) group G2 showed significantly shorter time of suspension 24.0 (10.4) minutes with unfavorable increase in EpInWel and BP. Conclusions: Greater resistance to HHS occurs in people developing less marked fluctuations of both respiratory and cardiovascular reflex responses. Conversely, wider fluctuations both in control of EpInWel and BP were observed in the event of decreased suspension tolerance or in syncopal events.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
harness hang syncope; inspiratory elastic power; pattern of breathing; respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes; suspension trauma;
harness hang syncope; inspiratory elastic power; pattern of breathing; respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes; suspension trauma
English
19-apr-2019
2019
20
2
122
132
open
Lanfranconi, F., Ferri, A., Pollastri, L., Bartesaghi, M., Novarina, M., De Vito, G., et al. (2019). Impact of Hanging Motionless in Harness on Respiratory and Blood Pressure Reflex Modulation in Mountain Climbers. HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE & BIOLOGY, 20(2), 122-132 [10.1089/ham.2018.0089].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/226953
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