Mountaineering And Altitude Sickness: A Study of AMS Prevalence among Climbers of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Adventure tourism has become one of Malaysia’s most attractive tourism demands, and mountain climbing is rapidly becoming a popular recreational sport. Exploring mountain adventures offers a dynamic experience, preserving this fascinating activity, yet the climbers are exposed to the risk of altitude sickness, such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AMS and investigate the effects of high-altitude sickness on the climber profile associated with climbing at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia. Methods:. The Lake Louise acute mountain sickness LLS score questionnaire collected 95 climber’s data at four different altitudes. SPO2 and Pulse rate was (PR) measured using a finger pulse oximeter. In a cohort study, AMS was measured on day one at 1866m (1st station), 3622m (2nd station), and day two at 3810m (3rd station), and 4095m (4th station). Results: At the altitude of 1866 (Timpohon Gate), the prevalence of AMS was 0%, 30% at 3622m (Laban Rata), 34.7% at 3810m (Sayat-Sayat), and 37.9% at 4095m (Low’s Peak). The overall prevalence of AMS was 37.9% and the majority of AMS cases were moderate in severity and the LLS score is significant with Pulse Rate and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SPO2). Conclusion: Concisely, this finding has triggered a need for consideration from multi agencies to enhance mountaineering guidance, especially for beginners or inexperienced hikers, for a suitable package for climbing attempts to reduce the incidence of AMS among Mount Kinabalu climbers.

Application of quantitative proteomics in the study of acute mountain sickness / 生物工程学报

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a clinical syndrome of multi-system physiological disorder after acute exposure to low pressure and low oxygen at high altitude. Quantitative proteomics can systematically quantify and describe protein composition and dynamic changes. In recent years, quantitative proteomics has been widely used in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis of many diseases. This review summarizes the progress of quantitative proteomics techniques and its application in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of AMS and mechanisms of rapidly acclimatizing to plateau, in order to provide a reference for the pathogenesis, early intervention, clinical treatment and proteomic research of AMS.

Impact of Moderate Altitude on Lung Diseases and Risk of High Altitude Illnesses

ABSTRACT A large world population resides at moderate altitudes. In the Valley of Mexico (2240 m above sea level) and for patients with respiratory diseases implies more hypoxemia and clinical deterioration, unless supplementary oxygen is prescribed or patients move to sea level. A group of individuals residing at 2500 or more meters above sea level may develop acute or chronic mountain disease but those conditions may develop at moderate altitudes although less frequently and in predisposed individuals. In the valley of México, at 2200 m above sea level, re-entry pulmonary edema has been reported. The frequency of other altitude-related diseases at moderate altitude, described in skiing resorts, remains to be known in visitors to Mexico City and other cities at similar or higher altitudes. Residents of moderate altitudes inhale deeply the city's air with all pollutants and require more often supplementary oxygen.

Application of virtual reality technology in the practice drill training of acute mountain sickness rescue / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Virtual reality (VR) technology is a kind of human-computer interaction technology, which has been widely used in teaching. In the acute mountain sickness rescue teaching practice, we simulated the plateau environment, operation process of prevention and treatment of mountain disease via VR, which were compared with traditional teaching model. Clinical medical undergraduates were selected as the research objects, and the practice effect was compared and analyzed. VR technology makes more rich and diverse teaching methods in acute mountain sickness rescue teaching practice, which has significant advantages in improving the teaching environment and overcoming the shortage of equipment and space. We have optimized the instructional design, realized the teaching mode by combination of virtuality and reality, and improved the teaching quality and test scores.

Animal models of acute plateau disease / 中国药理学通报

Acute plateau disease refers to a variety of physiological and pathological reactions produced by the body in a short period of time after rapidly advancing into the high-pressure and low-oxygen plateau area with an altitude above 2 500 meters, mainly including acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (H A C E), which seriously affects the health of people in the acute plateau and even threats their lives. The establishment of an animal model of acute plateau disease with good reproducibility and a sound evaluation system are the basis of the research on acute plateau disease. Acute plateau disease is mainly caused by the low oxygen conditions on the plateau, so the animal model of acute plateau disease can be established in plateau environment simulation cabin or plateau field, simple breeding or animal treadmill assisted sports training. The indicators that indicate the success of the model establishment are commonly used blood gas, inflammation factors, organizational water content and pathological section. In this article, the animal models of acute plateau disease established in recent years are reviewed from the aspects of modeling environment, modeling methods and evaluation indicators.

Un ejemplo de respuesta adaptativa integrada: la aclimatación humana a la altitud / An example of integrated adaptive response: human acclimatization to altitude

Se describen las respuestas fisiológicas que el ser humano desarrolla en respuesta a la exposición a la altitud geográfica. Se describen no sólo las alteraciones debidas a una mala coordinación de los ajustes fisiológicos desencadenados durante la aclimatación a la altura sino también sus manifestaciones clínicas más relevantes. Se detallan los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes a tales respuestas y cómo su mejor conocimiento puede permitir aplicar la exposición intermitente a hipoxia como una herramienta útil para la resolución o alivio de determinadas alteraciones y patologías.

We depict the physiological responses developed by the human body in response to the exposure to geographic altitude. The main alterations due to a noncoordinated setup of the physiological adjustments triggered during the acclimatization at altitude are also described, as its most relevant clinical manifestations. The molecular mechanisms underlying such responses are detailed, and how a better knowledge of these processes can allow us to apply intermittent exposure to hypoxia programs as a useful tool for the resolution or relief of certain disorders and pathologies.

Mal agudo de montaña: pasado, presente y futuro / Acute mountain sickness: past, present and future

Evidencias en textos históricos Chinos de los años 403 AC y de la Conquista Española en 1590, muestran de las condiciones singulares que afectaban tanto a hombres como a animales al ascender por sectores montañosos por sobre 4000 m., y que ahora reconocemos como mal agudo de montaña. Ya desde el siglo XIX, se ha reconocido que es la falta de oxígeno (hipoxia) el factor determinante de la respuesta aclimatatoria como de la desaclimatización a la hipoxia de altura. El objetivo de la actual revisión fue una puesta al día de definiciones, factores que inciden en una mayor incidencia de mal agudo de montaña, mecanismo fisiológico propuesto, el desarrollo de estrategias farmacológicas para la prevención y/o tratamiento y por último, se ha revisado respecto de las distintas estrategias que se han desarrollado para la evaluación de la susceptibilidad individual, conocido comúnmente como test de hipoxia.

Some Chinese historical text from 403 BC and the Spanish Conquest in 1590 indicates unique conditions that affected both men and animals when climbing mountainous areas over 4000 m. and that is currently known as Acute Mountain Sickness (MAM). Since the XIX century, the lack of oxygen (hypoxia), has been recognized as the main factor of the acclimatization and declimatization to the high altitude hypoxia. The aim of the current revision is an update of definitions, factors that contribute the Acute Mountain Sickness, the proposed physiological mechanism, the development of pharmacological strategies for the prevention and/or treatment, and finally, we reviewed the different strategies developed for the individual susceptibility assessment, generally known as hypoxia test.

Ibuprofeno comparado con acetazolamida para prevención de mal agudo de montaña / Ibuprofen versus acetazolamide for prevention of acute mountain sickness

INTRODUCCIÓN: El mal agudo de montaña es una condición frecuente en individuos sanos, sin aclimatación que se exponen a alturas desde 2500 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Clásicamente se ha utilizado acetazolamida para prevenirlo, pero en los últimos años ha surgido evidencia a favor de ibuprofeno. Sin embargo, no está claro cuál de estos tratamientos es más efectivo. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos dos revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron un estudio primario, el cual corresponde a un ensayo aleatorizado. Concluimos que no es posible establecer con claridad si ibuprofeno es mejor o peor que acetazolamida debido a que la certeza de evidencia existente ha sido evaluada como muy baja.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mountain sickness is a common condition occurring in healthy subjects that undergo rapid ascent without prior acclimatization, as low as 2500 meters above sea level. The classic preventive agent has been acetazolamide, although in the last decade there has been evidence favoring ibuprofen. However, it is unclear which method is more efficient. METHODS: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis) and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified two systematic reviews that included only one primary study, which is a randomized trial. We concluded it is not possible to establish whether ibuprofen is better or worse than acetazolamide because the certainty of evidence has been evaluated as very low.

Analysis of the acute mountain sickness risk factor behind chinese young men’s acute exposure to high altitude: A field cohort study on plateau / 解放军医学杂志

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the risk factors and predictive factors for acute mountain sickness (AMS) after acute exposure to high altitude. Methods Eighty-three subjects were airlifted from Chengdu (elevation 500m) to Lhasa (elevation 3700m) in 2 hours, and divided into AMS(+) group and AMS(–) group according to the LLS AMS scores (2018). Subjects were tested both in plain (Chengdu) and plateau (Lhasa). With the case report form (CRF), the demographic data, AMS related symptoms, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and fatigue self-assessment scale (FSAS) were collected, meanwhile the heart rate, blood pressure and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) were detected. The cardiac ultrasound was performed, and the subjects' venous blood was collected to detect vasoconstriction and vasodilatation factors with ELISA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the independent risk factors for AMS. Results As 4 subjects were lost, a total of 79 subjects were eventually included in present study. After acutely exposed to high altitude, the subjects' SAS, FSAS and HR aroused obviously (P<0.05), while the SpO2 decreased markedly (P<0.05). There was also a significant increase in systemic and cerebral hemodynamics (P<0.05). Plasma levels of endothelin-1 and bradykinin increased (P<0.05), while of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E and serotonin decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, when the subjects were located in plain area, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was obviously higher in AMS(+) group [(47.11±2.90)mm] than in AMS(–) group [(45.51±2.17)mm, P=0.008], while after acutely exposed to high altitude, the SAS and FSAS were markedly higher in AMS(+) group than in AMS(–) group (P=0.001), and the systolic blood flow velocity of basilar artery was also higher in AMS(+) group [(70.30±15.71)cm/s] than in AMS(–) group [(63.06±11.81)cm/s, P=0.026]. With regression analysis, it is shown that LVEDD could independently indicate the occurrence of AMS in the plain area (OR=1.293, 95%CI 1.058-1.581, P=0.012), and the systolic blood flow of basilar artery (OR=1.055, 95%CI 1.005-1.107, P=0.030), right atrium diameter (RAD, OR=0.731, 95%CI 0.543-0.984, P=0.039), SAS (OR=1.219, 95%CI 1.027-1.447, P=0.023) and FSAS (OR=1.105, 95%CI 1.016-1.201, P=0.019) were closely correlated with AMS after acutely exposed to high-altitude (P<0.05). Conclusions The baseline LVEDD has predictive value for AMS in plain area. After exposure to high altitude, the posterior cerebral circulation hemodynamics, anxiety and fatigue may trigger the occurrence of AMS.

Brain injury and drug therapy in high-altitude environment: research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Altitude sickness is a common disease caused by hypotension and hypoxia due to low pressure when people move from the plain to the plateau, which causes injury to the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and ner- vous system. The brain tissue is very sensitive to the decrease in oxygen partial pressure, which can easily cause neuro- nal dysfunction and even lead to neuron apoptosis. The partial pressure of oxygen in the plateau environment is low, and an effective way to improve the host defense ability is to develop anti-hypoxia drugs that improve the ratio of oxyen utiliza- tion. This paper reviews and summarizes the clinical symptoms of the nervous system in the high-altitude environment, including high-altitude headache, acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema, as well as the pathophysio- logical molecular mechanisms and related drug treatments, so as to develop the effective new drugs of anti-hypoxia brain damage and to guide the rational use of clinical scientific drugs.

Acetazolamida como tratamiento del mal agudo de montaña / Acetazolamide for the treatment of acute mountain sickness

INTRODUCCIÓN El mal agudo de montaña es la patología más prevalente relacionada con la exposición aguda a la altura, secundaria a los efectos de la hipoxia hipobárica en nuestro organismo. La acetazolamida se ha utilizado tradicionalmente para su prevención y tratamiento, sin embargo, aún existe controversia respecto al grado de utilidad que tiene este medicamento como monoterapia. MÉTODOS Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un meta análisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES Identificamos una revisión sistemática que incluyó dos estudios primarios, ambos correspondientes a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que no es posible establecer con claridad si el tratamiento con acetazolamida disminuye los síntomas del mal agudo de montaña ni si aumenta el riesgo de efectos adversos, debido a que la certeza de la evidencia existente ha sido evaluada como muy baja.

INTRODUCTION Acute mountain sickness is the most prevalent illness related to acute exposure to high altitude, secondary to the hypobaric hypoxia effects in our body. Acetazolamide has been traditionally used for its prevention and treatment, however, there is still controversy regarding the degree of usefulness of this medication as monotherapy. METHODS We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We identified a systematic review that included two primary studies, both corresponding to randomized trials. We conclude that it is not possible to establish clearly whether treatment with acetazolamide reduces the symptoms of acute mountain disease or increases the risk of adverse effects, because the certainty of the existing evidence has been evaluated as very low.

Occurrence of high altitude cerebral edema (hace) and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPO) simultaneously at 12000 ft: a rare phenomen

High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPO) are the most dreaded complications related to high altitude. Authors managed a case of HACE and HAPO simultaneously set at unusually low height (1200 ft) in a patient. The altitude was not too much to develop these comorbidities as studied earlier. Relationship with altitude was immaterial in our case. However, rapid ascent without proper acclimatisation, young and tender age, male sex and smoking were associated contributing factors. He was managed with standard protocol and descent to lower altitude.

Study on myocardium and brain damage in rats by simulating high altitude / 药学实践杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia with cold on the heart and brain damage in rats by simulating 6 000 m high altitude at different exposure time,established a rat model of acute mountain sickness for the related mechanism studies.Methods 32 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,hypoxia with cold 1 d,3 d and 5 d group,8 rats in each group.The normal control group was kept in the plain environment(1 500 m)without any treat-ment.The other three groups were placed in large hypobaric hypoxia chamber to simulate 6 000 m altitude with different ex-posed times.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of heart and brain tissue.The changes of biochemical indexes were measured to evaluate the damage of heart and brain tissue at different hypoxia times.Results HE staining showed that hypoxia with cold induced rat heart and brain damage with different degrees.The myocardial tissue damage was in-creased with exposure time.The most serious brain damage happened in day 3.Compared with the normal control group,the content of MDA and LD in the myocardial tissue of hypoxia rats were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)with pro-longed time,while the contents of GSH,T-SOD and the activity of Na+K+-ATPase were reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The content of MDA in brain tissue was significantly increased at day 1 and day 3(P<0.05 or P<0.01).LD content was sig-nificantly increased(P<0.05)with time.The content of GSH,the activity of T-SOD and Na+K+-ATPase were significantly reduced in day 3(P<0.05).Conclusion Simulating an altitude of 6 000 m caused obvious damage on the heart and brain tis-sues of rats.The degree of damage was related to the exposure time to hypoxia with cold.The decrease of body′s antioxidant capacity,the increase of free radicals and energy metabolism disorders are important factors leading to heart and brain injury.

Sampling Survey of the Relationship Between Acute Mountain Sickness and Mental Health of Officers and soldiers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To sample survey the relationship between acute mountain sickness and mental health of officers and soldiers, so as to provide theoretical direction for the psychological prevent and counsel of them.@*Methods@#In May 2017, 61 officers and soldiers were selectedas subject investigated, and divided to AMS group included 35 persons and non-AMS group included 26 persons according to the finding of theAMS symptom division point table, then used symptom self-testing tableto test and evaluate the mental health of them.@*Results@#The AMS group showed significantly higher scores on the psychological parameters such as omatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobicanxiety, parnoid ideation and so on (105.20±13.82, 1.37±0.26, 1.14±0.21, 1.16±0.19, 1.16±0.18, 1.06±0.11, 1.10±0.17, 1.22±0.19, P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#The mental factors of omatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, parnoid ideation and so on had great influence on AMS, we should pay attention to these factors and carry on mental intervention, and enhance anti-stress ability of individual, to ensure the successful completion of plateau military mission.

Meta Analysis of the Relationship between Overweight, Obesity and Acute Mountain Sickness / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between overweight,obesity and acute mountain sickness(AMS).Methods We searched the WanFang,CNKI,VIP,PubMed,Embase,Springer,Google Scholar,Cochrane databases.AMS,acute high altitude disease,acute high altitude disease (AHAD),hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR),obese,obesity,BMI,Body Mass Index,cohort study,case-control study,cross-sectional study and observational study were used to search literatures which studied association between overweight,obesity and AMS during 2007-2016.Literatures were then evaluated by two evaluators.RevMan 5.3 software was utilized for statistical analysis.Results Six articles with 6323 cases were included in the study.The heterogeneity test result revealed that included studies were statistically heterogeneous (I2 =93％,P ＜ 0.01),therefore,the random effect model was used to analyze.Obesity and overweight significantly increased the occurrence of AMS with an OR of 2.39 (95％ CI:1.21-4.70).Egger's test indicated that there was no publication bias (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Overweight and obesity can be used as predictors of occurrence for AMS.

Changes of hemodynamic and cerebral oxygenation after exercise in normobaric and hypobaric hypoxia: associations with acute mountain sickness

OBJECTIVE: Normobaric (NH) and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) are associated with acute mountain sickness (AMS) and cognitive dysfunction. Only few variables, like heart-rate-variability, are correlated with AMS. However, prediction of AMS remains difficult. We therefore designed an expedition-study with healthy volunteers in NH/HH to investigate additional non-invasive hemodynamic variables associated with AMS. METHODS: Eleven healthy subjects were examined in NH (FiO2 13.1%; equivalent of 3.883 m a.s.l; duration 4 h) and HH (3.883 m a.s.l.; duration 24 h) before and after an exercise of 120 min. Changes in parameters of electrical cardiometry (cardiac index (CI), left-ventricular ejection time (LVET), stroke volume (SV), index of contractility (ICON)), near-infrared spectroscopy (cerebral oxygenation, rScO2), Lake-Louise-Score (LLS) and cognitive function tests were assessed. One-Way-ANOVA, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, Spearman’s-correlation-analysis and Student’s t-test were performed. RESULTS: HH increased heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CI and decreased LVET, SV and ICON, whereas NH increased HR and decreased LVET. In both NH and HH cerebral oxygenation decreased and LLS increased significantly. After 24 h in HH, 6 of 11 subjects (54.6%) developed AMS. LLS remained increased until 24 h in HH, whereas cognitive function remained unaltered. In HH, HR and LLS were inversely correlated (r = − 0.692; p < 0.05). More importantly, the rScO2-decrease after exercise in NH significantly correlated with LLS after 24 h in HH (r = − 0.971; p < 0.01) and rScO2 correlated significantly with HR (r = 0.802; p < 0.01), CI (r = 0.682; p < 0.05) and SV (r = 0.709; p < 0.05) after exercise in HH. CONCLUSIONS: Both acute NH and HH altered hemodynamic and cerebral oxygenation and induced AMS. Subjects, who adapted their CI had higher rScO2 and lower LLS. Furthermore, rScO2 after exercise under normobaric conditions was associated with AMS at high altitudes.

Research progress on prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness / 药学实践杂志

Acute mountain sickness (AMS ) is a self-limiting medical condition characterized by headache ,nausea ,fa-tigue ,dizziness ,and insomnia .AMS usually occurs after rapid ascent to high altitudes in non-altitude acclimatized individuals . Extensive studies have been done on AMS ,but knowledge on the mechanism ,prevention and treatment are still limited .It will help the prevention and treatment of AMS with deep understanding of its risk factors and mechanisms .In this article ,we sys-tematically reviewed the diagnosis ,risk factors ,developing mechanisms ,preventions and treatments of AMS .

Research progress in health protection procedures for troops at high altitude / 军事医学

When troops are moving to high altitude areas above 3000 m,effective measures need to be taken to prevent the acute mountain sickness and to maintain soldiers' military operation abilities.This paper reviews the theories and applicability of high altitude acclimatization in recent years,involving training methods,medicine,nutrition and oxygen supply.Developments of medical support technologies for plateau missions by our army are also analyzed.

Change of heart function and its relationship with AMS during acute high-altitude exposure at 3658 m in Chongqing soldiers / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To observe the cardiac function during high-altitude exposure in Chongqing soldiers and to discuss its relationship with acute mountain sickness ( AMS ) by echocardiography .METHODS: The changes of heart function were evaluated during acute high-altitude exposure (3658 m, 3 d) in 42 healthy young male soldiers by echocar-diography.At the same time, the heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and the incidence of AMS after high-altitude exposure were observed and recorded .RESULTS:Three days after arrival at 3658 m, the left atrial end-systolic dimension (LADs), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) and right atrial end-systolic dimension were signifi-cantly decreased , but the right ventricular outflow tract diameter , pulmonary artery dimension , ejection fraction , cardiac output (CO), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly in-creased compared with the baseline levels in all subjects .The mitral peak E velocity was significantly reduced (P<0.05). A total of 42 healthy young men were recruited and divided into AMS group with 15 subjects and non-AMS group with 27 subjects by Lake Louise scoring after high-altitude exposure .The cardiac function in the plain showed that aortic sinus di-ameter and LVDd in AMS group were significantly smaller , and PASP was significantly higher than those in non-AMS group.After high-altitude exposure, the LADs in AMS group was significantly smaller than that in non-AMS group (P<0.05).AMS scores and CO in the plain showed significant negative correlation (r=-0.3814, P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:Upon acute high-altitude exposure , right ventricular functions of the young male soldiers are damaged with the com-pensation of the left ventricular functions .Using echocardiography to observe PASP and CO may be helpful for screening the susceptible people of AMS in the plain .

Echocardiogram evaluation of cardiovascular functions of acute mountain sickness patient before and after returning plain / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To investigate the values of echocardiogram for evaluating the changes of left ventricular structure and cardiovascular function of the acute mountain sickness (AMS) patient before and after returning the plain.Methods A total of 33 light AMS patients returning to the plain in time underwent echocardiogram examinations on some cardiovascular indexes before and after returning the plain,including stroke volume (SV),cardiac output (CO),left atrial volume index (LAVI),left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV),early diastolic mitral flow velocity (E),late diastolic mitral flow velocity (A) and so on.Results The values of heart rate (HR),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),CO,A and LAVI after going to the plateau were all significantly higher than those before going to the plateau (P＜0.05),while the values of SV,E,E/A and LVEDV were obviously lower (P＜0.05).The values of HR,SBP,DBP,CO,A,E and E/A recovered respectively 1 month after going to the plateau when compared with those before going to the plateau (P＜0.05),while did not restore to the ones before going to the plateau (P＜0.05),and the values of LVEDV,LAVI and SV reached the level before going to the plateau (P＜0.05).The values of LVEDV,SV,SBP,LAVI and E 1 week after returning to the plain came to the level before going to the plateau (P＜0.05),and the values of CO,HR,DBP and A were significantly higher (P＜0.05) while the value of E/A was statistically lower (P＜0.05).Conclusion Echocardiogram can be used to evaluate the left ventricular structure and cardiovascular function of the AMS patient,especially for those light AMS patients in acclimatization period or before and after returning to the plain.