High-altitude pulmonary edema presenting 18 hours after descent.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a potentially life-threatening condition that is rapidly and definitively treated by descent. We report a case of worsening HAPE, presenting more than 18 hours after descent to sea level. The patient was treated with diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and oxygen and improved during a 24-hour observation period. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HAPE symptoms increasing after descent from altitude.
Strote
Jared
J
Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Box 356123, 1959 NE Pacific St., University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. strote@u.washington.edu
Prutkin
Jordan
J
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index