High-altitude pulmonary edema at a ski resort

Area of Science:

• Altitude Medicine
• Pulmonary Physiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious condition affecting individuals ascending to significant elevations.
• Understanding HAPE's clinical presentation and risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical characteristics, symptoms, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with HAPE.
• To identify potential risk factors and common presentations of HAPE in a high-altitude environment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for 150 patients with HAPE.
• Data collected included patient demographics, symptom onset, clinical signs, and treatment protocols.
• Pulse oximetry was used to assess oxygen saturation in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

• The mean time to symptom onset was 3 days after arrival at 2,928m.
• Common symptoms included dyspnea, cough, headache, and fever; cerebral edema occurred in 14%.
• Pulmonary infiltrates were present in 88% of patients, and men showed higher susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• HAPE presents with characteristic symptoms and radiological findings, often developing within days of altitude exposure.
• Oxygen therapy and descent are effective treatments, leading to recovery without mortality or complications in this cohort.
• Male gender may be a risk factor for developing HAPE.