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High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE): the Denver/Front Range experience
P R Yarnell1, J Heit, P H Hackett
1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, St. Anthony's Hospital Denver, USA.
Seminars in Neurology
|August 18, 2000
Summary
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) can affect skiers, causing confusion and coma. Prompt treatment is crucial for a successful outcome in these potentially fatal cases.
Area of Science:
- Altitude Medicine
- Neurology
- Physiology
Background:
- High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a severe, potentially fatal neurological condition caused by exposure to low oxygen levels at high altitudes.
- It is characterized by symptoms ranging from headache and ataxia to stupor and coma, and can be associated with acute mountain sickness and high-altitude pulmonary edema.
Observation:
- This study reports on HACE cases observed in skiers visiting altitudes typically below those where HACE is commonly diagnosed.
- Data were collected over a 13-year period, focusing on the incidence and characteristics of HACE in this specific demographic.
Findings:
- The observations suggest that HACE can occur in visitors at altitudes previously considered less risky.
- The condition is understood to be a form of vasogenic edema, indicating swelling in the brain due to impaired blood-brain barrier function.
Implications:
- These findings highlight the importance of recognizing HACE symptoms even at moderate altitudes frequented by recreational visitors.
- Emphasizes the need for prompt medical intervention and treatment protocols for HACE to ensure positive patient outcomes.
- Suggests a need for further research into the susceptibility factors and preventative measures for HACE in diverse high-altitude visitor populations.
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