Influence of 24 h Simulated Altitude on Red Blood Cell Deformability and Hematological Parameters in Patients with Fontan Circulation

Patients with Fontan circulation are particularly dependent on low pulmonary vascular resistance because their lungs are passively perfused. Hypoxia drives pulmonary vasoconstriction; thus, red blood cell (RBC) deformability and stability of hematological parameters might be of particular importance, because alterations during hypoxia might further influence circulation. This study aimed to measure respective parameters in patients with Fontan circulation exposed to normobaric hypoxia. A total of 18 patients with Fontan circulation (16 to 38 years) were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (15.2% ambient oxygen). Blood samples were taken in normoxia, after 24 h in hypoxia, and 60 min after return to normoxia. Blood count, RBC age distribution, EPO, RBC deformability, marker of RBC nitric oxide, oxidative state, and RBC ATP were measured. Hypoxia increased oxidative stress in RBC, but without affecting RBC deformability. RBC age distribution remained unaffected, although EPO concentrations increased, followed by a rise in reticulocyte count at an already high hematocrit. NO metabolism was not affected by hypoxia. Modest normobaric hypoxia for 24 h did not impair RBC deformability in patients with Fontan circulation; however, the oxidative system seemed to be stressed. Given the high baseline Hct in these patients, hypoxia-induced erythropoiesis could adversely affect rheology with more prolonged hypoxia exposure.