Susceptibility to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema in Subjects With Increased Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

Susceptibility to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema in Subjects With Increased Pulmonary Artery Pressure During Exercise in Normoxia and at Rest in Hypoxia

It has been shown, that subjects susceptible to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)are characterized by an abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia. This abnormal rise of pulmonary artery pressure has also been observed in about 10 % of otherwise healthy subjects without prior altitude exposure. The aim of the study is to investigate the susceptibility to HAPE in unacclimatized subjects with abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia after rapid ascent to high altitude (4559 m).

Inclusion Criteria:

• abnormal increase of pulmonary artery pressure at rest in hypoxia and during exercise in normoxia
• ability to climb Margherita Hut

Exclusion Criteria:

• Birth at or above 1500 m altitude
• any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Infection disease
• Intake of drugs, in particular Acetazolamide, Nifedipine, corticosteroids or PDE-5-inhibitors.
• Pregnancy