Lung transplant patients aim for aconcagua summit in landmark altitude study

NCT ID NCT07479511

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study follows 30 lung transplant recipients and healthy volunteers as they prepare for and climb Mount Aconcagua (6,971 meters). Participants first use a special tent at home for eight weeks to get used to lower oxygen levels. Then, a team monitors their lung function, oxygen levels, and symptoms during the actual climb. The goal is to learn how well transplant lungs adapt to extreme altitude and whether such expeditions are safe.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: intermittent hypoxic conditioning via normobaric hypoxic tent
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that lung transplant recipients can safely adapt to extreme altitudes, potentially improving their physical fitness and quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is a small observational study (30 participants) with no control group for the intervention. High-altitude exposure carries risks like acute mountain sickness, and results may not apply to all transplant recipients.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 30 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jan 2026

Expected to finish

Jun 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Lung transplant recipients and Healthy controls

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Lung transplant recipients: * Age ≥ 18 years * \> 1 years after lung transplantation * Stable lung function over 6 month prior to inclusion, FEV1 +/-10% from baseline * VO2peak of more than 25 ml/min/kg * Physical and mental fitness, defined as the ability to complete strenuous day trips lasting 8 to 10 hours independently without suffering from a fear of heights, an altitude exposure of at least 2500m must be confirmed. * Negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing age * Written informed consent Healthy volunteers: * Age ≥ 18 years * VO2peak of more than 25 ml/min/kg * Physical and mental fitness, defined as the ability to complete strenuous day trips lasting 8 to 10 hours independently without suffering from a fear of heights * Negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing age * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Lung transplant recipients: * Age \< 18 years * Refusal to participate in the study * Pregnancy Healthy controls: * Age \< 18 years * Refusal to participate in the study * Pregnancy * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

altitude sickness Hypoxia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Altitude High-altitude adaptation Hypoxia Immunosuppression Lung transplantation Microbiota Oxygen saturation measurement Physical fitness

Lung transplant patients aim for aconcagua summit in landmark altitude study

What the study statuses mean