High altitude pulmonary edema in a patient with previous pneumonectomy.
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening illness that can occur in individuals ascending to altitudes exceeding 2400 m. The risk factors are rapid ascent, physical exertion and a previous history of HAPE. This work presents a case study of a 74-year-old man who underwent left side pneumonectomy 40 years ago and subsequently experienced several instances of HAPE. The well-known risk factors for HAPE were excluded in this patient. We suspect that the post-pneumonectomy condition may be a risk factor for HAPE based on this case.
Chou
Yu-Ting
YT
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Wang
Chih-Liang
CL
Kao
Kuo-Chin
KC
Wu
Yao-Kuang
YK
Tsai
Ying-Huang
YH
D000368:Aged; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors