<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-543" src="http://alumniblog.mayo.edu/files/2012/05/MountEverestTeamMayo_JodiOl
It’s a natural laboratory for studying heart disease, lung problems, muscle loss, sleeping disorders and new medical technologies. It’s also the highest mountain in the world. Extreme altitude simulates for climbers the same conditions experienced by patients suffering from heart disease or those advancing in age. For over two years, Mayo Clinic has been planning an expedition to Mount Everest with National Geographic, The North Face and Montana State University. The group will follow eight or nine climbers from base camp for the duration of the climb, which will run from mid-April to mid-May. “We can simulate some conditions in oxygen tents and hyperbaric chambers, but only for short periods,” says Bruce Johnson, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic physiologist and leader of the scientific expedition. Dr. Johnson, who has conducted research at the South Pole and other mountain ranges, will be joined by physician-researcher Doug Summerfield, M.D., scientists Bryan Taylor, Ph.D., and Amine Issa, Ph.D. Mayo Clinic also will send its own reporter along to cover the research expedition. Joel Streed of the Mayo Clinic News Network will be blogging and shooting video from base camp. You can follow their journey on Mayo Clinic’s Advancing the Science blog. This expedition and other research initiatives at Mayo Clinic are part of Mayo’s strategy to transform medical care beyond its campuses and across the globe. The research data generated by the expedition is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the study of the effects of heart disease and aging on patients, as well as provide high-quality, affordable care options for patients needing care monitoring. Sleep Physiology It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep in a cold tent, especially at 18,000 feet. Periodic breathing during sleep causes apnea, the same condition facing many overweight patients or patients with chronic heart failure. In this case, it can decrease oxygen in the blood — a serious condition at sea level and at high altitude. Poor sleep quality occurs due to restricted space, high winds and hard surfaces. Even clothing or equipment may play a role. Studies on oxygen during sleep and sleep quality as it relates to other high altitude problems will be done. Muscle Loss at High Altitude Previous studies, including data from Mount Aconcagua, show that climbers lose weight rapidly at high altitude, primarily muscle and not fat, with extra intake having negligible impact. Muscle wasting is a common problem with many chronic diseases, including heart disease. Hypothesis: Weight loss is related to more severe hypoxia, especially at night. The team will track calories, sleep quality, sleep hypoxia and body composition. Lung Fluid Regulation Fluid in the lung or pulmonary edema — common in heart patients — remains a mystery on mountains. Some think it’s caused by an uneven constriction of blood vessels in the lungs, a response to the lower inspired gas pressures. Yet, it doesn’t happen to everyone who climbs, so there may be other factors, such as genetic susceptiblity. Studies will look at pressures in the lungs, gas transfer across the lungs and other factors. Remote Monitoring Testing A number of remote monitoring and recording devices will be tested, some for the first time under such extreme conditions. Ensuring they are rugged enough for Mount Everest and function under extreme cold and pressure changes will be valuable for future climbs and sea-level use. One particular monitor, developed by researchers at Mayo, will be getting its first rugged field test. If reliable data capture works on Mount Everest, quality should be assured in monitoring patients remotely in their homes.The projects
