High-altitude Pulmonary Edema in Emergency Department: A Review
Hisham Mohammed Sonbul *
King Abdulaziz University Hospital-KAUH, Saudi Arabia.
Abdu Saleh Alwadani
Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Bader Aziz Alharbi
Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
D. Almaymuni, Saleh Mohammed
Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrazaq Abdulmohsen Alkhalaf
Aliman General Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Hajer Ali Alkreedees
Almaarefa University, Saudi Arabia.
Darin Ahmednoor Alkhars
Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain.
Mohammed Ali Allift
King Salman Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Alyazeed Ali Alyami
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah Ali Alshehri
King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Fahad Saeed Alshahrani
Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer, Saudi Arabia.
Afnan Obaid Ahmad Aljefri
Jubail General Hospital, Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Fahad M. Altowairqi
Royal Saudi Land Forces M.O.D, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
High altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a severe form of high-altitude disease that, if left untreated, can result in death in up to half of those who are affected. Lowlanders who rapidly go to elevations more than 2500-3000 m are more likely to develop high altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Individual sensitivity owing to a low hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), quick pace of climb, male sex, usage of sleep medicine, high salt consumption, chilly ambient temperature, and intense physical effort are all risk factors. HAPE may be totally and quickly reversed if caught early and correctly treated. Slow climb is the most effective technique of prevention. A fall of at least 1000 meters, is the best and most certain treatment choice in HAPE. Supplemental oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and pulmonary vasodilator medications (nifedipine and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors) may be beneficial. In this article we’ll be looking at the disease etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and management.
Keywords: High altitude pulmonary edoema, emergency department, epidemiology, etiology