Brian Strickland, Elan Small, Mary Ryan, Ryan Paterson
{"title":"Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Alleviating Hypoxemia and Improving Exertional Capacity at Altitude.","authors":"Brian Strickland, Elan Small, Mary Ryan, Ryan Paterson","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Strickland, Brian, Elan Small, Mary Ryan, and Ryan Paterson. Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure in alleviating hypoxemia and improving exertional capacity at altitude. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:000-000, 2024. <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Decreased oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance are commonly experienced at high altitude. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices have become increasingly portable and battery powered, providing a potentially unique new therapeutic modality for treatment of altitude-related illnesses. This study evaluated the potential use of CPAP devices to improve and maintain oxygen saturation at altitude, both at rest and with exertion, to evaluate the feasibility of using this device at altitude. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Subjects were taken to Mount Blue Sky and monitored while they hiked to the summit (4,350 m), maintaining a consistent level of exertion. Subjects hiked for 0.7 km both with and without CPAP set to 10 cmH<sub>2</sub>O pressure. Continuous vital signs were collected during the hike and recovery period. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All subjects completed the hike wearing CPAP devices at a vigorous level of exertion. Mean oxygen saturation of the CPAP group (M = 83.8%, SD = 3.72) was significantly higher than that of the control group during exertion (M = 78.7%, SD = 2.97); <i>p</i> = 0.005. Recovery after exertion was quicker in the CPAP group than the control group. Three subjects experienced claustrophobia requiring a brief pause, but were able to complete their exercise trial without removing equipment or experiencing adverse events. When pauses from claustrophobia were excluded, there was no difference in completion time between the groups (<i>p</i> = 0.06). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CPAP reliably improved oxygen saturation at rest and during vigorous exertion at high altitude. Its ability to correct hypoxemia, even with physical exertion, may prove useful after further study as a portable self-carried device to prevent and treat altitude-related illness, or to improve safety in high-altitude rescues.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141563296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preexisting Hyperuricemia Before High-Altitude Ascent is Associated with a Slower Recovery of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Following Descent.","authors":"Linggong Zhao, Yujie Huang, Xiaoling Tan","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zhao, Linggong, Yujie Huang, and Xiaoling Tan. Preexisting hyperuricemia before high-altitude ascent is associated with a slower recovery of estimated glomerular filtration rate following descent. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2024. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Hypoxia at high altitudes results in elevated uric acid (UA) and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, the impact of a prolonged high-altitude sojourn on UA levels and renal function in patients with preexisting hyperuricemia warrants further exploration. The study was to investigate the eGFR and related factors in patients with preexisting hyperuricemia following exposure to high altitude. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study included 345 participants, who worked at a high altitude for 1 year. Anthropometric and laboratory indices were collected before ascent (i.e., baseline), as well as 20 and 80 days after descent. The participants were categorized into individuals with hyperuricemia (HUA) or normal uric acid (NUA) group based on the presence or absence of hyperuricemia at baseline. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No difference in baseline eGFR was observed between the two groups before ascend or on day 20 after descent (<i>p</i> > 0.05). However, on day 80, eGFR of the HUA group was lower compared with the NUA group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Correlations existed between post-descent eGFR levels and variables, including sampling time, UA levels, total and direct bilirubin, and baseline grouping. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> After high-altitude exposure, the recovery of eGFR was delayed in participants with preexisting hyperuricemia. Preexisting hyperuricemia and high-altitude hypoxia jointly contribute to renal impairment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141534276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katharine Foster, James D Anholm, Gary Foster, Suman Thapamagar, Prajan Subedi
{"title":"Effects of Naltrexone on Sleep Quality and Periodic Breathing at High Altitude.","authors":"Katharine Foster, James D Anholm, Gary Foster, Suman Thapamagar, Prajan Subedi","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Foster, Katharine, James D. Anholm, Gary Foster, Suman Thapamagar, and Prajan Subedi. Effects of naltrexone on sleep quality and periodic breathing at high altitude. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:000-000, 2024. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study examined the effects of naltrexone on breathing and sleep at high altitude. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists have a depressive effect on respiration. Naltrexone is known to block the MOR. We hypothesized that MOR blockade with naltrexone would result in higher nocturnal oxygen saturations, fewer apneas, and improved sleep at high altitude. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study included nine healthy volunteers (four females, five males) aged 27.9 (4.6) (mean [standard deviation]) years. Two overnight trips spaced at least 2 weeks apart took participants from Loma Linda, CA (355 m) to the Barcroft Laboratory, CA (3,810 m) for each arm. Participants ingested either 50 mg naltrexone or matching placebo at bedtime. Sleep metrics were recorded using an ambulatory physiological sleep monitor (APSM). Subjective data were measured with the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale, Stanford Sleepiness Scale, and the 2018 Lake Louise Score (LLS) for acute mountain sickness (AMS). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mean overnight SpO<sub>2</sub> was lower after taking naltrexone, 81% (6) versus 83% (4) (mean difference 1.9% [2.1, 95% confidence interval or CI = 0.1-3.6, <i>p</i> = 0.040]). The lowest overnight SpO<sub>2</sub> (nadir) was lower on naltrexone 70% (6) versus 74% (4) (dif. 4.6% [4.3], CI = 1.0-8.2, <i>p</i> = 0.020). Total sleep time and total apnea-hypopnea index were unchanged. Subjective sleep quality was significantly worse on naltrexone measured via the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale (<i>p</i> = 0.033) and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (<i>p</i> = 0.038). AMS measured via LLS was significantly worse while taking naltrexone (<i>p</i> = 0.025). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Contrary to our hypothesis, this study demonstrated a significant decrease in nocturnal oxygen saturation, worse sleep quality, and AMS scores. Further characterization of the MOR's effects on sleep and AMS is needed to evaluate potential exacerbating mechanisms for AMS and poor sleep quality at altitude.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141534275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew M Luks, Thomas G DeLoughery, Jeffrey H Gertsch, Suzy Stokes
{"title":"Clinical Conundrum: Return to High Altitude After Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.","authors":"Andrew M Luks, Thomas G DeLoughery, Jeffrey H Gertsch, Suzy Stokes","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Luks, Andrew M., Thomas G. DeLoughery, Jeffrey H. Gertsch, and Suzy Stokes. Clinical conundrum: return to high altitude after cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:00-00, 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141534274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ileus at Altitude.","authors":"Christine Ebert-Santos, Ana Campos","doi":"10.1089/ham.2023.0132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2023.0132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) is a condition commonly caused by the production of antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors. Until recently, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were considered rare in myasthenia gravis, but are now being proposed as an early identification tool. Presented here is a case study that exemplifies GI symptoms in MG, exacerbated by low barometric pressure at altitude. This illustrates the need to identify GI symptoms earlier in MG patients, as well as the need for providers at high altitude to be aware of these manifestations of MG.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141491646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xu-Gang Tang, Zheng-Dao Wei, Xiao Wang, Rui Zhang, Jing Wen, De Li
{"title":"<i>Letter to the Editor</i>: T-Wave Inversion in Leads V1-V3 as a Crucial Indicator of High-Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension among Young Chinese Males at 4,820 m: A Report of Two Cases.","authors":"Xu-Gang Tang, Zheng-Dao Wei, Xiao Wang, Rui Zhang, Jing Wen, De Li","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0093","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141491645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Juan Sebastian Izquierdo-Condoy, María G Dávila-Rosero, Jorge Vásconez-González, Ana M Diaz, Carla E Moyano, Vanessa Arcos-Valle, Ginés Viscor, Joshua H West
{"title":"Reduced Violence-Related Burden and Mortality at Higher Altitudes: Examining the Association between High Altitude Living and Homicide Rates in Ecuador.","authors":"Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Juan Sebastian Izquierdo-Condoy, María G Dávila-Rosero, Jorge Vásconez-González, Ana M Diaz, Carla E Moyano, Vanessa Arcos-Valle, Ginés Viscor, Joshua H West","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Juan Sebastian Izquierdo-Condoy, María G. Dávila-Rosero, Jorge Vásconez-González, Ana M. Diaz, Carla E. Moyano, Vanessa Arcos-Valle, Ginés Viscor, and Joshua H. West. Reduced Violence-Related Burden and Mortality at Higher Altitudes: Examining the Association between High Altitude Living and Homicide Rates in Ecuador. <i>High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 0000.</i> <b><i>Background:</i></b> Homicides are a major public health concern and a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. The relationship between altitude and homicides remains unclear, and evidence of the possible effects of living at high altitudes on homicide rates is limited. This research aimed to investigate the mortality rates resulting from various types of aggression that culminated in homicides in Ecuador and to explore potential differences associated with altitude. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An ecological analysis of homicide rates in Ecuador was conducted from 2001 to 2022. Homicide cases and the population at risk were categorized based on their place of residence according to two altitude classifications: a binary classification of low (<2,500 m) and high altitude (>2,500 m), and a detailed classification according to criteria by the International Society for Mountain Medicine, which includes low (<1,500 m), moderate (1,500-2,500 m), high (2,500-3,500 m), and very high altitude (3,500-5,500 m) categories. Both crude and directly age-sex standardized mortality rates were calculated for each altitude category. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We analyzed a total of 40,708 deaths attributed to aggressions (ICD-10 codes X85-Y09). The total homicide rate for men was 21.29 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.55-32.37), whereas for women, it was 2.46 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1.44-3.27). Average rates across the 22 analyzed years were higher at low altitudes (men: 13.2/100,000 and women: 1.33/100,000) as compared with high altitudes (men: 5.79/100,000 and women: 1.05/100,000). Notably, the male-to-female rate difference was more pronounced at low altitudes (898%) than at high altitudes (451%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our study revealed a higher prevalence of homicides in certain provinces and significant disparities in mortality rates between men and women. Although we cannot establish a direct relationship between altitude and homicide rates, further research is needed to explore potential confounding factors and a better understanding of the underlying causes for these variations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141283558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert K Szymczak, Magdalena Sawicka, Małgorzata Jelitto
{"title":"Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism at High Altitude in a Mountaineer with Hereditary Thrombophilia.","authors":"Robert K Szymczak, Magdalena Sawicka, Małgorzata Jelitto","doi":"10.1089/ham.2023.0110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2023.0110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Szymczak, Robert K., Magdalena Sawicka, and Małgorzata Jelitto. Recurrent pulmonary embolism at high altitude in a mountaineer with hereditary thrombophilia. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:000-000, 2024.-It is speculated that high-altitude travel is an independent risk factor for thrombosis. Mountaineering-specific factors, such as hypoxia, cold, and immobilization, may interact with patient-specific risk factors and contribute to thrombus formation. We present the case of a mountaineer with hereditary thrombophilia who experienced recurrent pulmonary embolism during high-altitude expeditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141199630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mismanagement of Patients with High Altitude Illness Evacuated from the Mount Everest Region in Nepal.","authors":"Samriddha Raj Pant, Suraj Shrestha, Suman Acharya, Ghan Bahadur Thapa, Buddha Basnyat","doi":"10.1089/ham.2024.0034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0034","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141199627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vipin Rana, Pradeep Kumar, Sandeepan Bandopadhyay, Vijay K Sharma, Meenu Dangi, Dattakiran Joshi, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Satyabrat Srikumar, V A Arun
{"title":"Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Young Adults at High Altitude: Thin Air, High Stakes.","authors":"Vipin Rana, Pradeep Kumar, Sandeepan Bandopadhyay, Vijay K Sharma, Meenu Dangi, Dattakiran Joshi, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Satyabrat Srikumar, V A Arun","doi":"10.1089/ham.2023.0101","DOIUrl":"10.1089/ham.2023.0101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rana, Vipin, Pradeep Kumar, Sandeepan Bandopadhyay, Vijay K. Sharma, Meenu Dangi, Dattakiran Joshi, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Satyabrat Srikumar, and V.A. Arun. Central retinal artery occlusion in young adults at high altitude: thin air, high stakes. <i>High Alt Med Biol.</i> 00:000-000, 2024.-We present five cases of young security personnel who were posted at high altitude (HA) for a duration of at least 6 months and presented with a sudden decrease of vision in one eye. The diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) was made in all patients. Fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography of the macula supported the diagnosis. None of these cases had any preexisting comorbidities. Erythrocytosis was noticed in all patients, and two of them had hyperhomocysteinemia. Four out of five patients showed either middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis on computed tomography angiography. The patients were managed by a team of ophthalmologist, hematologist, vascular surgeon, and neurologist. In cases of incomplete ICA occlusion, patients were managed surgically. However, in the case of complete ICA occlusion, management was conservative with antiplatelet drugs. This case series highlights HA-associated erythrocytosis and hyperhomocysteinemia as important risk factors for CRAO in young individuals stationed at HA.</p>","PeriodicalId":12975,"journal":{"name":"High altitude medicine & biology","volume":" ","pages":"136-139"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140021582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}