What is high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)? Cardiology Basics

What is high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)? Cardiology Basics High altitude pulmonary edema is pulmonary edema which occurs on rapid ascent to high altitudes. It is a potentially life threatening condition and is a severe form of mountain sickness. Severe breathlessness with fall of oxygen level in the blood occurs in this condition. Cyanosis may be noted. The best way to prevent it is to ascend gradually, taking a few days to climb to 3000 meters. After that climb only very slowly, only about 300 to 500 meters a day. The risk is more if your usual residence is near sea level so that you are not acclimatized to high altitude at all. Previous episode increases your risk of a recurrence. Pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease may also enhance the risk. High altitude pulmonary edema is characterized by inhomogeneous pulmonary vasoconstriction in response to reduced oxygen concentration in the inhaled air at high altitude. It may be noted that oxygen is one of the most potent pulmonary vasodilators, which is used therapeutically in the management of chronic pulmonary hypertension by way of nocturnal oxygen therapy. In high altitude pulmonary edema, the inhomogeneous pulmonary vasoconstriction leads to elevated pulmonary capillary pressure and leakage of fluid into the alveoli. This is in fact a form of non cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Oxygen therapy and descend to lower altitudes are the logical answer for the treatment of high altitude pulmonary edema. Defective alveolar fluid c...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs