[Analysis of 3,184 cases with acute mountain sickness complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and analyze the probability of acute mountain sickness (AMS) [including high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)] complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and its pathogenetic mechanisms.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey was made to retrospectively study the hospitalization cases in the past 50 years, and the incidence of high-altitude MODS (H-MODS) were statistically analyzed to determine the main causes and pathogenic mechanism of MODS.


RESULTS
Among 3 184 cases with severe AMS, 83 cases conformed to the diagnostic criteria of diagnosis of H-MODS, and the incidence was 2.6%. The pathogenesis of acute H-MODS might be related to the activation of inflammation pathways, activation of blood clotting pathways and the damage to gastrointestinal mucosa barrier. Therefore, improving the diagnosis and the treatment effects of H-MODS is an important measure to increase cure rate of AMS and to decrease its death rate.


CONCLUSIONS
AMS complicated by multiple organ damage (MOD) is the main factor that influences the therapeutic efficacy. Prompt effective remedy on the spot is a significant measure to reduce incidence of MOD.
Zhou
Qi-quan
QQ
Department of High Altitude Military Medicine, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. zhouQQ99@sohu.com
Liu
Fu-yu
FY
Zheng
Bi-hai
BH
Gao
Yu-qi
YQ
Li
Su-zhi
SZ
Wang
Hong-bin
HB
Zhang
Shi-fan
SF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult