According to a forecast by International Air Transport Association the number of people travelling on commercial aircrafts is predicted to rise up to 8.2 billion passengers in 2037. Therefore evidence-based flight recommendations will gain importance in the future, especially for patients suffering from chronic diseases. Hypoxic Challenge Testing (HCT) is the recommended method for inflight hypoxia risk assessment where nitrogen is introduced in a plethysmograph reducing FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) to 0.15. Oxygen supply is recommended if PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood) drops <50-55 mmHg (in adults) or Sat.O2 (oxygen saturation) ≤ 85% (in infants) where non-invasive pulse oximetry is the recommended method for hypoxia assessment. Onboard oxygen administration remains controversial. The effectiveness of pulsed-dosed systems remains unclear in small patients due to shallow breathing patterns. The aim of our study is to establish the effectiveness and safety of POCs in infants undergoing HCT.
Hypoxic Challenge Testing (HCT) is the recommended method for inflight hypoxia risk assessment. Onboard oxygen administration remains controversial. The Federal Aviation Administration approved portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) for onboard oxygen supply but there is lack of evidence about the use, especially in children. The aim of our study is to establish the effectiveness and safety of POCs in infants undergoing HCT.