Different physiopsychological changes between AMSsusceptible and AMS-resistant pre-selected Antarctic expeditioners in Tibet

• Main Authors: Xiaopei, Wu, Shiying, Liu, Wang, Xi, Jianan, Wang, Pengrui, Qin, Chengli, Xu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2021
• Subjects: Health; Antarctic; Advances in Polar Science; Antarc*; Polar Science
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2758/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2758/1/A2103006.pdf

Through dynamically monitoring changes of acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurrences, cardiopulmonary function and mood states from Shanghai (4 m) to Lhasa (3650 m) and Yambajan (4300 m), Tibet, we obtained physiopsychological data of the 37th Chinese Antarctic pre-selected expeditioners for Kunlun Station. Through analyzing different physiopsychological changes between AMS-susceptible (AMS-S) and AMS-resistant (AMS-R) expeditioners, we would explore indicators to screen hypoxia-susceptible expeditioners. According to AMS occurrences evaluated by Lake Louise Score (LLS) in Yambajan, we divided the expeditioners (n=24, 31.92±5.76 a) into AMS-S and AMS-R groups. Using a series of medical instruments and questionnaires, we monitored their cardiopulmonary function and mood states, and analyzed the differences of physiopsychological parameters between AMS-S and AMS-R groups. Compared with Shanghai, when expeditioners arrived in Yambajan, in both AMS-S and AMS-R groups, oxygen saturation (SpO2) significantly decreased, and blood pressure significantly increased (P<0.05). As for electrocardiogram (ECG), interval from the beginning to the end of QRS complex wave (QRS), interval from the beginning of QRS complex wave to the end of T wave (QT), interval between 2 adjacent P waves (PP) and interval between 2 adjacent R waves (RR) significantly decreased, heart rate (HR) and HR-corrected QT interval (QTc) significantly increased (P<0.05). Cardiac contractility and pumping function significantly decreased, systemic vascular resistance significantly increased (P<0.05). Pulmonary airway patency significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with AMS-R group, AMS-S group showed significantly lower SpO2 and higher stroke volume variation (SVV) in Shanghai, however, significantly lower maximal expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (MEF75), higher levels of anxiety, fatigue and confusion in Yambajan (P<0.05). In conclusion, when expeditioners arrived at 4300 m, their cardiopulmonary function and mood states ...