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The Effects of High Altitude on Breathing and Cerebral Blood Flow
 In a recent study supported by ADInstruments, Inc., scientists studied the
effects of high altitude on breathing and cerebral blood flow. Using a PowerLab system, the 2005 Canadian Everest Expedition obtained data at the Base Camp of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest. Their results will help physicians gain a better diagnostic understanding of sleep disturbances and cerebral complications encountered at high altitudes.
ADInstruments proudly sponsored Dr. Philip Ainslie (University of Calgary, now at the University of Otago, NZ) and the expedition in their research endeavors. The group used an 8 channel PowerLab, which proved to be robust, as it performed in one of the world's most unforgiving environments.
The group examined the effect of high altitude on breathing and cerebral blood flow associated with acute mountain sickness and cerebral edema. Dr. Ainslie's team conducted polysomnography sleep studies, collecting ventilatory control, beat-to-beat cerebral blood flow and blood pressure data in a laboratory in Kathmandu (1400m), at Everest Base Camp (5400m) and in a research laboratory Kunde (4000m). Cerebral blood flow and blood pressure responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were measured by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound and a beat-to-beat non-invasive blood pressure system, respectively. All cerebral blood flow and blood pressure data were collected by and
analyzed using PowerLab hardware with LabChart software.
Interview with Dr. Phil Ainslie
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