Treatment of acute mountain sickness: Hyperbaric versus oxygen therapy

Kasic, James; Yaron, Michael; Nicholas, Richard; Lickteig, Julie Ann; Roach, Robert C.

doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(05)81385-x

Cited by 52 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In cases of HACE and HAPE where descent is not possible, alternative options are supplemental oxygen and a portable inflatable hyperbaric chamber that is able to increase air pressure to the level found at an altitude of approximately 1500 m [108, 109]. …”

Section: Acute Reactions Of the Cardiopulmonary System To Hypoxiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

Grimminger

Richter

Tello

et al. 2017

Canadian Respiratory Journal

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With rising altitude the partial pressure of oxygen falls. This phenomenon leads to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude. Since more than 140 million people permanently live at heights above 2500 m and more than 35 million travel to these heights each year, understanding the mechanisms resulting in acute or chronic maladaptation of the human body to these circumstances is crucial. This review summarizes current knowledge of the body's acute response to these circumstances, possible complications and their treatment, and health care issues resulting from long-term exposure to high altitude. It furthermore describes the characteristic mechanisms of adaptation to life in hypobaric hypoxia expressed by the three major ethnic groups permanently dwelling at high altitude. We additionally summarize current knowledge regarding possible treatment options for hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by reviewing in vitro, rodent, and human studies in this area of research.

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Section: Acute Reactions Of the Cardiopulmonary System To Hypoxiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

Grimminger

Richter

Tello

et al. 2017

Canadian Respiratory Journal

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“…It is an excellent rescue drug to assist in descent 55,56. If descent is not possible, both oxygen and portable inflatable hyperbaric chambers (Figure 4) improve oxygen saturation and can be effective treatments for subjects with HACE or high-altitude pulmonary edema 57,58…”

Section: High-altitude Cerebral Edemamentioning

confidence: 99%

High-altitude illnesses: Physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment

Taylor¹

2011

RMMJ

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High-altitude illnesses encompass the pulmonary and cerebral syndromes that occur in non-acclimatized individuals after rapid ascent to high altitude. The most common syndrome is acute mountain sickness (AMS) which usually begins within a few hours of ascent and typically consists of headache variably accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, disturbed sleep, fatigue, and dizziness. With millions of travelers journeying to high altitudes every year and sleeping above 2,500 m, acute mountain sickness is a wide-spread clinical condition. Risk factors include home elevation, maximum altitude, sleeping altitude, rate of ascent, latitude, age, gender, physical condition, intensity of exercise, pre-acclimatization, genetic make-up, and pre-existing diseases. At higher altitudes, sleep disturbances may become more profound, mental performance is impaired, and weight loss may occur. If ascent is rapid, acetazolamide can reduce the risk of developing AMS, although a number of high-altitude travelers taking acetazolamide will still develop symptoms. Ibuprofen can be effective for headache. Symptoms can be rapidly relieved by descent, and descent is mandatory, if at all possible, for the management of the potentially fatal syndromes of high-altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema. The purpose of this review is to combine a discussion of specific risk factors, prevention, and treatment options with a summary of the basic physiologic responses to the hypoxia of altitude to provide a context for managing high-altitude illnesses and advising the non-acclimatized high-altitude traveler.

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“…For the treatment of AMS, simulated descent in a portable hyperbaric chamber is effective at relieving symptoms [47][48][49] and may be particularly useful when descent is impossible. Unfortunately, the beneficial effects usually disappear within approximately 10 hours.…”

Section: Portable Hyperbaric Chambersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention and treatment of high-altitude illness in travelers

Murdoch

2004

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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High-altitude illness is the collective term for acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). These syndromes can affect unacclimatized travelers shortly after ascent to high altitude (especially higher than 2500 m). AMS is relatively common and usually is mild and self-limiting; HACE and HAPE are uncommon but life-threatening. Gradual ascent is the best strategy for preventing or minimizing high-altitude illness, although chemoprophylaxis may be useful in some situations. Acetazolamide remains the chemoprophylactic agent of choice, although other drugs, such as gingko biloba, are being investigated. Immediate descent remains the cornerstone of treatment for HACE and HAPE, although pharmacologic and hyperbaric therapies may facilitate this process.

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Treatment of acute mountain sickness: Hyperbaric versus oxygen therapy

Cited by 52 publications

References 12 publications

Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

High-altitude illnesses: Physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment

Prevention and treatment of high-altitude illness in travelers

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