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Nitrogen washout studies in acute mountain sickness
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|February 1, 1977
Summary
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) severity correlates with impaired pulmonary gas exchange and abnormal nitrogen washout. These findings suggest simultaneous cerebral and pulmonary dysfunction occur at high altitudes.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
Background:
- High altitude exposure can trigger Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
- Understanding AMS pathophysiology is crucial for prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between AMS severity, pulmonary gas exchange, and nitrogen washout.
- To investigate the simultaneous development of cerebral and pulmonary dysfunction at altitude.
Main Methods:
- Healthy volunteers were exposed to high altitude.
- AMS severity was evaluated using symptom scores.
- Pulmonary gas exchange (A-aDO2) and nitrogen washout curves were measured.
Main Results:
- Increased slope of phase III of nitrogen washout correlated with AMS severity and hypoxemia.
- The most severe AMS cases showed the greatest increase in (A-a)DO2 and nitrogen washout slope.
- Abnormalities in gas exchange and nitrogen washout were observed in subjects with marked AMS.
Conclusions:
- AMS severity is linked to significant abnormalities in pulmonary gas exchange and nitrogen washout.
- Cerebral and pulmonary dysfunction appear to manifest concurrently at high altitudes.
- While simultaneous, the mechanisms driving cerebral and pulmonary dysfunction may differ.