High Altitude Pulmonary Edema in a Chronic Kidney Disease Patient-Is Peritoneal Dialysis A Risk Factor?

Vizcarra-Vizcarra, Cristhian A. and Angélica L. Alcos-Mamani. High-altitude pulmonary edema in a chronic kidney disease patient-Is peritoneal dialysis a risk factor? High Alt Med Biol. 23:96-99, 2022.-High-altitude pulmonary edema is a cause of acute respiratory failure secondary to hypobaric hypoxia, which occurs after ascent above 2,500 m (8,202 feet), in susceptible people or without prior acclimatization. We present the case of a 20-year-old man with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on peritoneal dialysis (PD), living at sea (Mollendo, Peru) who presented with dyspnea and pulmonary congestion, after ascending to a high-altitude city (Juliaca, Peru at 3,827 m or 12,555 feet). The patient required diuretics, nifedipine, PD, tracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilation, but recovered and was discharged without complications. We think that CKD and PD could be risk factors for the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema, secondary to pulmonary hypertension and fluid overload, so this diagnosis should be considered in this group of patients when they ascend to high altitude.