Prevention and Treatment of High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Section snippets
Slow ascent
Slow ascent is the major measure of prevention and is effective even in susceptible individuals. Indirect evidence came from the observation, that even subjects who developed HAPE more than once upon rapid ascent in the Alps successfully reached altitudes up to 7000 m when the average daily ascent rate above 2000 m does not exceed 350 to 400 m/d.18 The experience of the Indian Army that up to 15% of its soldiers, if airlifted to extreme altitudes, developed HAPE19 but, if acclimatized during
Treatment
Immediate improvement of oxygenation either by supplemental oxygen, hyperbaric treatment,53, 54 or by rapid descent is the treatment of choice for HAPE. For the mountaineer in a remote area without medical care, descent has first priority, whereas the tourist with HAPE visiting a high-altitude plateau in the Andes, Himalayas, or Rocky Mountains may stay at altitude if medical facilities are available. If unable to reach lower altitude for a few days, treatment with nifedipine or sildenafil is
Statement of Conflict of Interest
The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.
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Statement of Conflict of Interest: see page 504.