A double-blind, randomised, controlled Phase II trial of Heliox28 gas mixture in lung cancer patients with dyspnoea on exertion

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 90; no. 2; pp. 366 - 371
• Main Authors: AHMEDZAI, S. H, LAUDE, E, ROBERTSON, A, TROY, G, VORA, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 26-01-2004
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Dyspnea - etiology; Dyspnea - therapy; Exercise - physiology; Female; Helium - therapeutic use; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - complications; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Oxygen - therapeutic use; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Pneumology; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum; Physical exercise; Human; Lung disease; Oxygen; Respiratory disease; Lung cancer; exercise; Bronchopulmonary malignant tumor; dyspnoea; Mixture; 6-min walk test; Phase II trial; Bronchus disease; Clinical trial; Heliox
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601527

Helium has a low density and the potential of reducing the work of breathing and improving alveolar ventilation when replacing nitrogen in air. A Phase II, double-blind, randomised, prospective, controlled trial was undertaken to assess whether Heliox28 (72% He/28% O(2)) compared with oxygen-enriched air (72% N(2)/28% O(2)) or medical air (78.9% N(2)/21.1% O(2)) could reduce dyspnoea and improve the exercise capability of patients with primary lung cancer and dyspnoea on exertion (Borg >3). A total of 12 patients (seven male, five female patients, age 53-78) breathed the test gases in randomised order via a facemask and inspiratory demand valve at rest and while performing 6-min walk tests. Pulse oximetry (SaO(2)) was recorded continuously. Respiratory rate and dyspnoea ratings (Borg and VAS) were taken before and immediately post-walk. Breathing Heliox28 at rest significantly increased SaO(2) compared to oxygen-enriched air (96+/-2 cf. 94+/-2, P<0.01). When compared to medical air, breathing Heliox28 but not oxygen-enriched air gave a significant improvement in the exercise capability (P<0.0001), SaO(2) (P<0.05) and dyspnoea scores (VAS, P<0.05) of lung cancer patients.