High-altitude pulmonary edema
| High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | T70.2 |
| ICD-9-CM | 993.2 |
| Patient UK | High-altitude pulmonary edema |
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (HAPO spelled oedema in British English) is a life-threatening form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) that occurs in otherwise healthy mountaineers at altitudes typically above Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value)..[1] However, cases have also been reported at lower altitudes (between 1,500–2,500 metres or 4,900–8,200 feet in highly vulnerable subjects), though what makes some people susceptible to HAPE is currently unknown. HAPE remains the major cause of death related to high-altitude exposure, with a high mortality rate in the absence of adequate emergency treatment.
Contents
Signs and symptoms
Physiological and symptomatic changes often vary according to the altitude involved.[2]
The Lake Louise Consensus Definition for High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema has set widely used criteria for defining HAPE symptoms:[3]
Symptoms: at least two of:
- Difficulty in breathing (dyspnea) at rest
- Cough
- Weakness or decreased exercise performance
- Chest tightness or congestion
Signs: at least two of:
- Crackles or wheezing (while breathing) in at least one lung field
- Central cyanosis (blue skin color)
- Tachypnea (rapid shallow breathing)
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
The initial cause of HAPE is a shortage of oxygen caused by the lower air pressure at high altitudes.[1][4] The mechanisms by which this oxygen shortage causes HAPE are poorly understood, but two processes are believed to be important:
- Increased pulmonary arterial and capillary pressures (pulmonary hypertension) secondary to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.[5]
- An idiopathic non-inflammatory increase in the permeability of the vascular endothelium.[6]
Although higher pulmonary arterial pressures are associated with the development of HAPE, the presence of pulmonary hypertension may not in itself be sufficient to explain the development of edema: severe pulmonary hypertension can exist in the absence of clinical HAPE in subjects at high altitude.[7]
Incidence
The incidence of clinical HAPE in unacclimatized travelers exposed to high altitude (~Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).) appears to be less than 1%.[citation needed] The U.S. Army Pike's Peak Research Laboratory has exposed sea-level-resident volunteers rapidly and directly to high altitude; during 30 years of research involving about 300 volunteers (and over 100 staff members), only three have been evacuated with suspected HAPE.[citation needed]
Predisposing factors
Individual susceptibility to HAPE is difficult to predict. The most reliable risk factor is previous susceptibility to HAPE, and there is likely to be a genetic basis to this condition, perhaps involving the gene for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).[citation needed] Recently, scientists have found the similarities between low amounts of 2,3-BPG (also known as 2,3-DPG) with the occurrence of HAPE at high altitudes.[citation needed] Persons with sleep apnea are susceptible due to irregular breathing patterns while sleeping at high altitudes.
Research
To help understand factors that make some individuals susceptible to HAPE, the International HAPE Database was set up in 2004.[8] Individuals who have previously suffered from HAPE can register with this confidential database to help researchers study the condition. The standard and most important treatment is to descend to lower altitude as quickly as possible, preferably by at least 1000 metres.[1][9] Oxygen should also be given if possible. Symptoms tend to quickly improve with descent, but more severe symptoms may continue for several days. The standard drug treatments for which there is strong clinical evidence are dexamethasone[10] and nifedipine.[11] Phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil and tadalafil are also effective[10] but may worsen the headache of mountain sickness.[12]
See also
- Acetazolamide, a drug that speeds acclimatization to high altitudes.
- Pulmonary edema
- Altitude sickness
- High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE)
- High-altitude flatus expulsion (HAFE)
- Pulse oximeter, the instrument to measure oxygen level in blood.
- Wilderness medicine
- Wilderness Medical Society
References
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