Prevention of acute mountain sickness by low positive end-expiratory pressure in field conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the ability of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), a nonpharmacological method, to prevent the occurrence of acute mountain sickness during two ascents of Mount Blanc.


METHODS
In a random order (once with PEEP and once without), PEEP was administered or not to eight subjects during two ascents of Mount Blanc. Scores for acute mountain sickness were quantified using the Lake Louise acute mountain sickness scoring system, and oxygen arterial blood saturation by pulse oxymetry (SpO2), heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also measured.


RESULTS
The decrease in the prevalence of acute mountain sickness indicated that the PEEP system was effective, one case (12.5%) occurring among the eight participants with PEEP and six cases (75%) occurring among the eight without PEEP (P<0.01). The severity of the cases also decreased (P<0.01). Heart rate and blood pressure did not significantly vary, whereas the SpO2 tended to be higher with PEEP (P=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
This field study shows that PEEP could be an efficient method with which to prevent acute mountain sickness without adverse effects. However, the ergonomics of the PEEP system must be improved to make its use more practical in the future.
Launay
Jean-Claude
JC
Centre of Study on Climatic Tolerance and Clothing, Research Centre of the Army Health Service, 38702 La Tronche cedex, France. jclaunay@crssa.net
Nespoulos
Olivier
O
Guinet-Lebreton
Angélique
A
Besnard
Yves
Y
Savourey
Gustave
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005602:France; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D012016:Reference Values