High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is caused
when hypoxemia due to low ambient pO2 leads to breakdown and
constriction of the pulmonary vasculature leading to
edema.
HAPE
is very rare under 8000 ft, but common over 10000 ft (6%). Over
18,000 ft the incidence is very high (12-15%).
Symptoms include dyspnea, cough, weakness and
chest tightness.
Signs
include hypoxemia, crackles, wheezing, central cyanosis, tachypnea
and tachycardia.
Drugs
that reduce pulmonary resistance have been shown to help, but
increased oxygenation and descent are the best
treatments.
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