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[Cardiovascular function in acute mountain sickness].
Kosmicheskaia Biologiia I Aviakosmicheskaia Meditsina
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Individuals susceptible to acute mountain sickness exhibit distinct physiological markers at sea level, including higher heart rate and specific ECG patterns, which can predict their risk. These physiological differences become more pronounced at high altitudes.
Area of Science:
- Altitude Physiology
- Cardiovascular Research
- High-Altitude Medicine
Background:
- High-altitude environments pose physiological challenges.
- Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common condition affecting individuals at altitude.
- Understanding predictors of AMS is crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify physiological predictors of acute mountain sickness (AMS) at sea level.
- To compare physiological responses to high altitude between subjects with and without AMS.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 43 healthy subjects (aged 18-20) exposed to 3600 m altitude.
- Subjects were categorized into two groups: uneventful adaptation (n=15) and acute mountain sickness (n=28).
- Physiological parameters including heart rate, brachial artery blood pressure, and electrocardiogram (ECG) were measured at sea level and high altitude.
Main Results:
- Subjects who developed AMS showed greater increases in heart rate, brachial artery blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and vasoconstriction at high altitude compared to controls.
- At sea level, subjects susceptible to AMS exhibited higher resting heart rate and R wave amplitude in ECG lead II.
- Lower sea-level systolic blood pressure in the brachial artery was also observed in AMS-susceptible individuals.
Conclusions:
- Resting heart rate, specific ECG parameters (R wave in lead II), and brachial artery systolic pressure at sea level can serve as predictors for acute mountain sickness.
- These physiological markers may help identify individuals at higher risk of developing AMS before high-altitude exposure.