What's up in the management of high-altitude pulmonary edema?

Each year, millions of people travel to high-altitude locales. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a severe form of acute mountain sickness, is a potentially fatal complication of acute exposure to high altitude. HAPE usually occurs at elevations above 2,500 meters and typically develops in the setting of a rapid ascent to high altitude with inadequate acclimatization and continued physical exertion. Although prompt descent to lower elevation and supplemental oxygen remain the definitive treatment for HAPE, recent investigations indicate that administration of nifedipine or phentolamine may be effective prophylactic or temporizing therapies.