High altitude illness

References

Key articles

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book 2024: health information for international travel. Section 4: environmental hazards & risks - high elevation travel & altitude illness. May 2023 [internet publication].Full text

Roach RC, Hackett PH, Oelz O, et al. The 2018 lake louise acute mountain sickness score. High Alt Med Biol. 2018 Mar;19(1):4-6.Full text  Abstract

Luks AM, Auerbach PS, Freer L, et al. Wilderness medical society clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute altitude illness: 2019 update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Dec;30(4s):S3-18.Full text  Abstract

Donegani E, Paal P, Küpper T, et al. Drug use and misuse in the mountains: a UIAA MedCom consensus guide for medical professionals. High Alt Med Biol. 2016 Sep;17(3):157-84. Abstract

Ritchie ND, Baggott AV, Andrew Todd WT. Acetazolamide for the prevention of acute mountain sickness - a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Travel Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;19(5):298-307.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book 2024: health information for international travel. Section 4: environmental hazards & risks - high elevation travel & altitude illness. May 2023 [internet publication].Full text

2. Roach RC, Hackett PH, Oelz O, et al. The 2018 lake louise acute mountain sickness score. High Alt Med Biol. 2018 Mar;19(1):4-6.Full text  Abstract

3. Wright AD, Brearley SP, Imray CH. High hopes at high altitudes: pharmacotherapy for acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral and pulmonary oedema. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;9(1):119-27. Abstract

4. Hultgren H. High altitude medicine. Stamford, CT: Hultgren Publications; 2001.

5. Honigman B, Theis MK, Koziol-McLain J, et al. Acute mountain sickness in a general tourist population at moderate altitudes. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Apr 15;118(8):587-92. Abstract

6. Luks AM, Hackett PH. Medical conditions and high-altitude travel. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jan 27;386(4):364-73. Abstract

7. Hackett PH, Roach RC. High altitude illness. New Engl J Med. 2001 Jul 12;345(2):107-14. Abstract

8. Maggiorini M, Bärtsch P, Walter M, et al. Prevalence of acute mountain sickness in the Swiss Alps. BMJ. 1990 Oct 13;301(6756):853-5.Full text  Abstract

9. Vardy J, Vardy J, Judge K, et al. Acute mountain sickness and ascent rate in trekkers above 2500m in the Nepali Himalaya. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2006 Jul;77(7):742-4. Abstract

10. Murdoch DR. Altitude illness among tourists flying to 3740 meters elevation in the Nepal Himalayas. J Trav Med. 1995 Dec 1;2(4):255-256. Abstract

11. Purkayastha SS, Ray US, Arora BS, et al. Acclimatization at high altitude in gradual and acute induction. J Appl Physiol. 1995 Aug;79(2):487-92. Abstract

12. Basnyat B, Subedi D, Sleggs J, et al. Disoriented and ataxic pilgrims: an epidemiological study of acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral edema at a sacred lake at 4300m in the Nepal Himalayas. Wilderness Environ Med. 2000 Summer;11(2):89-93. Abstract

13. Gabry AL, Ledoux X, Mozziconacci M, et al. High altitude pulmonary edema at moderate altitude (<2,400m; 7,870 feet): a series of 52 patients. Chest. 2003 Jan;123(1):49-53. Abstract

14. Hackett PH, Roach RC. High altitude cerebral oedema. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Summer;5(2):136-46. Abstract

15. Wilson MH, Newman S, Imray CH. The cerebral effects of ascent to high altitudes. Lancet Neurol. 2009 Feb;8(2):175-91. Abstract

16. Sanchez del Rio M, Moskowitz MA. High altitude headache: lessons from headaches at sea level. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;474:145-53. Abstract

17. Bärtsch P, Bailey DM, Berger MM, Knauth M, et al. Acute mountain sickness: controversies and advances. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Summer;5(2):110-24. Abstract

18. Bärtsch P, Roach RC. Acute mountain sickness. In: Hornbein TF, Schoene RB, eds. High altitude: an exploration of human adaptation, vol 161. New York: Marcel Dekker; 2001:731-776.

19. Jensen JB, Wright AD, Lassen NA, et al. Cerebral blood flow in acute mountain sickness. J Appl Physiol. 1990 Aug;69(2):430-3. Abstract

20. Schoene RB. Unraveling the mechanism of high altitude pulmonary edema. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Summer;5(2):125-35. Abstract

21. Maggiorini M. High altitude-induced pulmonary edema. Cardiovasc Res. 2006 Oct 1;72(1):41-50. Abstract

22. Dehnert C, Risse F, Ley S, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of uneven pulmonary perfusion in hypoxia in humans. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2006 Nov 15;174(10):1132-8. Abstract

23. Hackett PH, Yarnell PR, Hill R, et al. High altitude cerebral edema evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. JAMA. 1998 Dec 9;280(22):1920-5. Abstract

24. Sartori C, Lepori M, Maggiorini M, et al. Impairment of amiloride-sensitive sodium transport in individuals susceptible to HAPE. In: Roach RC, Wagner P, Hackett PH, eds. Hypoxia into the next millennium. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum; 1999:426.

25. Sartori C, Allemann Y, Duplain H, et al. Salmeterol for the prevention of high altitude pulmonary edema. New Engl J Med. 2002 May 23;346(21):1631-6. Abstract

26. Hackett PH, Rennie D. The incidence, importance and prophylaxis of acute mountain sickness. Lancet. 1976 Nov 27;2(7996):1149-55. Abstract

27. Singh I, Kapila C, Khanna P, et al. High altitude pulmonary edema. Lancet. 1965 Jan 30;1(7379):229-34. Abstract

28. Burtscher M, Brandstätter E, Gatterer H. Preacclimatization in simulated altitudes. Sleep Breath. 2008 May;12(2):109-14. Abstract

29. Luks AM, Auerbach PS, Freer L, et al. Wilderness medical society clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute altitude illness: 2019 update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Dec;30(4s):S3-18.Full text  Abstract

30. Richalet J-P, Keromes A, Dersch B, et al. Caracteristiques physiologiques des alpinistes de haute altitude. Sci Sports. 1988;3:89-108.

31. Schneider M, Bernasch D, Weymann J, et al. Acute mountain sickness: influence of susceptibility, pre-exposure and ascent rate. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Dec;34(12):1886-91. Abstract

32. Ziaee V, Yunesian M, Ahmadinejad Z, et al. Acute mountain sickness in Iranian trekkers around Mt Damavand in Iran. Wilderness Environ Med. 2003 Winter;14(4):214-9. Abstract

33. Graham J, Potyk D. Age and acute mountain sickness - examining the data. JAGS. 2005 Apr;53(4):735. Abstract

34. Vearrier D, Greenberg MI. Occupational health of miners at altitude: adverse health effects, toxic exposures, pre-placement screening, acclimatization, and worker surveillance. Clin Toxicol (PA). 2011 Aug;49(7):629-40. Abstract

35. Roach RC, Maes D, Sandoval D, et al. Exercise exacerbates acute mountain sickness at simulated altitude. J Appl Physiol. 2000 Feb;88(2):581-5.Full text  Abstract

36. Gaillard S, Dellasanta P, Lautan L, et al. Awareness, prevalence, medication use and risk factors of acute mountain sickness in tourists trekking around the Annapurna in Nepal: a 12 year follow-up. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Winter;5(4):410-9. Abstract

37. Basnyat B, Gertsch JH, Holck PS, et al. Acetazolamide 125mg BD is not significantly different from 37mg BD in the prevention of acute mountain sickness: the prophylactic acetazolamide dosage comparison for efficacy (PACE) TRIAL. High Alt Med Biol Spr. 2006 Spring;7(1):17-27. Abstract

38. Dumont L, Mardirosoff C, Tramèr MR. Efficacy and harm of pharmacological prevention of acute mountain sickness: quantitative systematic review. BMJ. Jul 29;321(7256):267-72.Full text  Abstract

39. Williamson J, Oakeshott P, Dallimore J. Altitude sickness and acetazolamide. BMJ. 2018 May 31;361:k2153. Abstract

40. Donegani E, Paal P, Küpper T, et al. Drug use and misuse in the mountains: a UIAA MedCom consensus guide for medical professionals. High Alt Med Biol. 2016 Sep;17(3):157-84. Abstract

41. Nieto Estrada VH, Molano Franco D, Medina RD, et al. Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 1. Commonly-used classes of drugs. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jun 27;6:CD009761.Full text  Abstract

42. Gonzalez Garay A, Molano Franco D, Nieto Estrada VH, et al. Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly-used drugs. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Mar 12;3:CD012983.Full text  Abstract

43. Molano Franco D, Nieto Estrada VH, Gonzalez Garay AG, et al. Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 3. Miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Apr 23;4:CD013315.Full text  Abstract

44. Tsai TY, Wang SH, Lee YK, et al. Ginkgo biloba extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2018 Aug 17;8(8):e022005.Full text  Abstract

45. Bärtsch P, Maggiorini M, Ritter M, et al. Prevention of high-altitude pulmonary edema by nifedipine. N Engl J Med. 1991 Oct 31;325(18):1284-9.Full text  Abstract

46. Yaron M, Niermeyer S. Travel to high altitude with young children: an approach for clinicians. High Alt Med Biol. 2008 Winter;9(4):265-9.Full text  Abstract

47. Bailey DM, Kleger GR, Holzgraefe M, et al. Pathophysiological significance of peroxidative stress, neuronal damage, and membrane permeability in acute mountain sickness. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2004 Apr;96(4):1459-63.Full text  Abstract

48. Davis C, Hackett P. Advances in the prevention and treatment of high altitude illness. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2017 May;35(2):241-60. Abstract

49. Maggiorini M, Bärtsch P, Oelz O. Association between raised body temperature and acute mountain sickness: cross sectional study. BMJ. 1997 Aug 16;315(7105):403-4. Abstract

50. Bärtsch P, Shaw S, Franciolli M, et al. Atrial natriuretic peptide in acute mountain sickness. J Appl Physiol. 1988 Nov;65(5):1929-37. Abstract

51. Bircher HP, Eichenberger U, Maggiorini M, et al. Relationship of mountain sickness to physical fitness and exercise intensity during ascent. J Wilderness Med. 1994;5:302-311.

52. Roach RC, Greene ER, Schoene RB, et al. Arterial oxygen saturation for prediction of acute mountain sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1998 Dec;69(12):1182-5. Abstract

53. Schoene RB, Swenson ER, Hultgren HN. High altitude pulmonary edema. In: Hornbein TF, Schoene RB, eds. High altitude: an exploration of human adaptation. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2001:777-814.

54. Menon ND. High altitude pulmonary edema: a clinical study. New Engl J Med. 1965 Jul 8;273:66-73. Abstract

55. Ward MP, Milledge JS, West JB. High altitude medicine and physiology. 3rd ed. London: Arnold; 2000.

56. Vock P, Fretz C, Franciolli M, et al. High altitude pulmonary edema; findings at high altitude chest radiography and physical examination. Radiology. 1989 Mar;170(3 Pt 1):661-6. Abstract

57. Fagenholz PJ, Gutman JA, Murray AF, et al. Treatment of high altitude pulmonary edema at 4240 m in Nepal. High Alt Med Biol. 2007 Summer;8(2):139-46. Abstract

58. Marticorena E, Tapia FA, Dyer J, et al. Pulmonary edema by ascending to high altitudes. Dis Chest. 1964 Mar;45:273-83. Abstract

59. Houston CS. Acute pulmonary edema of high altitude. New Engl J Med. 1960 Sep 8;263:478-80. Abstract

60. Fagenholz PJ, Gutman JA, Murray AF, et al. Chest ultrasonography for the diagnosis and monitoring of high altitude pulmonary edema. Chest. 2007 Apr;131(4):1013-8. Abstract

61. Allemann Y, Hutter D, Lipp E, et al. Patent foramen ovale and high altitude pulmonary edema. JAMA. 2006 Dec 27;296(24):2954-8.Full text  Abstract

62. Houston CS, Dickinson J. Cerebral form of high altitude illness. Lancet. 1975 Oct 18;2(7938):758-61. Abstract

63. Windsor JS, Rodway GW. Supplemental oxygen and sleep at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 2006;7:307-311. Abstract

64. Hultgren H, Honigman B, Theis K, et al. High altitude pulmonary edema in a ski resort. West J Med. 1996;164:222-227. Abstract

65. Cogo A, Fischer R, Schoene R. Respiratory disease and high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Winter;5(4):435-44. Abstract

66. Faulhaber M, Flatz M, Gatterer, et al. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among alpine skiers and hikers in the Austrian Alps. High Alt Med Biol. 2007 Fall;8(3):245-52. Abstract

67. Lipman GS. Carbon monoxide toxicity at high altitude. Wilderness Environ Med. 2006 Summer;17(2):144-5. Abstract

68. Ahmad H. Diabetic ketoacidosis in an undiagnosed diabetic precipitated by high altitude pulmonary edema. High Alt Med Biol. 2006 Spring;7(1):84-6. Abstract

69. Speedy DB, Noakes TD, Rogers IR, et al. Hyponatraemia in ultradistance triathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999 Jun;31(6):809-15. Abstract

70. Schmidt W, Rojas J, Boning D, et al. Plasma electrolytes in natives to hypoxia after marathon races at different altitudes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999 Oct;31(10):1406-13. Abstract

71. Baumgartner RW, Siegel AM, Hackett PH. Going high with preexisting neurological conditions. High Alt Med Biol. 2007 Summer;8(2):108-16. Abstract

72. Sampson JB, Cymerman A, Burse RL, et al. Procedures for the measurement of acute mountain sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1983 Dec;54(12 pt 1):1063-73. Abstract

73. Barry PW, Pollard AJ. Altitude illness. BMJ. 2003 Apr 26;326(7395):915-9.Full text  Abstract

74. Rock PB, Johnson TS, Larsen RF, et al. Dexamethasone as prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness. Effects of dose level. Chest. 1989 Mar;95(3):568-73. Abstract

75. Subedi BH, Pokharel J, Goodman TL, et al. Complications of steroid use on Mt. Everest. Wilderness Environ Med. 2010 Dec;21(4):345-8. Abstract

76. Low EV, Avery AJ, Gupta V, et al. Identifying the lowest effective dose of acetazolamide for the prophylaxis of acute mountain sickness: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012 Oct 18;345:e6779.Full text  Abstract

77. Ritchie ND, Baggott AV, Andrew Todd WT. Acetazolamide for the prevention of acute mountain sickness - a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Travel Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;19(5):298-307.Full text  Abstract

78. Seupaul RA, Welch JL, Malka ST, et al. Pharmacologic prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness: a systematic shortcut review. Ann Emerg Med. 2012 Apr;59(4):307-317. Abstract

79. Ferrazzini G, Maggiorini M, Kriemler S, et al. Successful treatment of acute mountain sickness with dexamethasone. BMJ. 1987 May 30;294(6584):1380-2.Full text  Abstract

80. Wu TY, Ding SQ, Liu JL, et al. High-altitude gastrointestinal bleeding: an observation in Qinghai-Tibetan railroad construction workers on Mountain Tanggula. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Feb 7;13(5):774-80. Abstract

81. Burtscher M, Likar R, Nachbauer W, et al. Aspirin for prophylaxis against headache at high altitudes: randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 1998 Apr 4;316(7137):1057-8.Full text  Abstract

82. Simancas-Racines D, Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Osorio D, et al. Interventions for treating acute high altitude illness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Jun 30;6:CD009567.Full text  Abstract

83. Grissom CK, Roach RC, Samquist FH, et al. Acetazolamide in the treatment of acute mountain sickness: clinical efficacy and effect on gas exchange. Ann Intern Med. 1992 Mar 15;116(6):461-5. Abstract

84. Wright AD, Winterborn MH, Forster PJ, et al. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in the immediate therapy of acute mountain sickness. J Wilderness Med. 1994;5:49-55.

85. Nerin MA, Palop J, Montano JA, et al. Acute mountain sickness: influence of fluid intake. Wilderness Environ Med. 2006 Winter;17(4):215-20. Abstract

86. Keller HR, Maggiorini M, Bärtsch P, et al. Simulated descent vs dexamethasone in treatment of AMS - a randomized trial. BMJ. 1995 May 13;310(6989):1232-5.Full text  Abstract

87. Irons HR, Salas RN, Bhai SF, et al. Prospective double-blinded randomized field-based clinical trial of metoclopramide and ibuprofen for the treatment of high altitude headache and acute mountain sickness. Wilderness Environ Med. 2020 Mar;31(1):38-43.Full text  Abstract

88. Weil JV. Sleep at altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 2004 Summer;5(2):180-9. Abstract

89. Beaumont M, Goldenberg F, Lejeune D, et al. Effect of zolpidem on sleep an ventilatory patterns at simulated altitude of 4000m. Am J Crit Care Med. 1996 Jun;153(6 Pt 1):1864-9. Abstract

90. Dubowitz G. Effect of temazepam on oxygen saturation and sleep quality at high altitude: randomized placebo controlled crossover trial. BMJ. 1998 Feb 21;316(7131):587-9. Abstract

91. Rodway GW, Windsor JS, Hart ND, Caudwell Xtreme Everest Research Group. Supplemental oxygen and hyperbaric treatment at high altitude: cardiac and respiratory response. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2007 Jun;78(6):613-7. Abstract

92. Oelz O, Maggiorini M, Ritter M, et al. Nifedipine for high altitude pulmonary edema. Lancet. 1989 Nov 25;2(8674):1241-4. Abstract

93. Ghofrani HA, Reichenberger F, Kohstall MG. Sildenafil increased exercise capacity during hypoxia at low altitudes and at Mount Everest base camp: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Aug 3;141(3):169-77. Abstract

94. Richalet JP, Gratadour P, Robach P, et al. Sildenafil inhibits altitude-induced hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension. Am J Resp Crit Care. 2005 Feb 1;171(3):275-81.Full text  Abstract

95. Maggiorini M, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Peth S, et al. Both tadalafil and dexamethasone may reduce the incidence of high altitude pulmonary edema. Ann Int Med. 2006 Oct 3;145(7):497-506. Abstract

96. van Patot MC, Keyes LE, Leadbetter G 3rd, et al. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of acute mountain sickness: does it work? High Alt Med Biol. 2009 Spring;10(1):33-43. Abstract

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