High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Conditions
Keywords
high altitude, CPAP, hyperbaric chamber, Gamow bag, AMS
Brief summary
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is mostly treated with supplemental oxygen, nifedipine 30mg twice a day, rest, limiting cold exposure and descent (simulated or actual) Gamow Bag provides simulated descent and buy time for actual descent. CPAP is claimed to be effective in many case reports to treat HAPE temporarily until actual descent is taken place. This study aims to evaluate the role of CPAP in treating HAPE at those high altitude stations where Gamow bag is not available and immediate descent is not possible.
Detailed description
Background: Swenson described HAPE in 2002, as a form of hydrostatic acute pulmonary edema with an alteration of alveolar-capillary permeability. Overall prevalence of AMS is 10-20% while incidence of HAPE, HACE or mixed incidence is 2-3%. Highest reported incidence of HAPE among Indian soldiers climbing to Siachen glacier is 15.5%. At 1500-2400m, A series of 52 patients admitted for HAPE over a period of 9 years was reported in literature.. Scientific rationale: Positive pressure has been used to increase altitude tolerance since the 1940s under simulated altitudes. PEEP applied via face mask increased SpO2 and decreased AMS symptoms. CPAP was used after ascent to 3205 m on Mount Cook in New Zealand where it improved SpO2 and reduced symptoms of HAPE. A CPAP helmet providing 15 cmH20 CPAP improved SpO2 in a single HAPE patient (at 5300 m) from 56% to 74%.-1st case report. A study at Thorang La pass (5416 m) in October 2010 in the Nepal Himalaya found that nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is useful as an additional modality to treat presumed high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)- 2nd case report.
Interventions
CPAP device set at 6-8cmH2O for several hours
Sponsors
Pak Emirates Military Hospital
HALMARC
sultan mehmood kamran
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Study Design: Randomised control trial Settings: Posts more than 8000 feet (2400m) where Medical officer is available Study Duration: 01 year after the study is approved Sampling Technique: Non probability consecutive sampling Distribution of patients in to two groups (Gp A and Gp B) by consecutive sampling Group A will be given CPAP in addition to standard of care and Group B will be offered Gamow bag in addition to standard of care
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male gender * Age 18-45 years * Previously fit and no comorbids * Suspected HAPE --arrived in the past 01 week on the post * Expected evacuation from post more than 8 hours
Exclusion criteria
* Symptoms suggest acute infective etiology. * Symptoms after one week of stay at HA * Altered mental status. * Disturbed balance * Visual impairment * Severe headache * A speedy evacuation to a lower height is available
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution of HAPE | 8 hours | No dyspnea at rest, 2. RR \< 20 3. Pulse \< 100 4. O2 sat \> 90% 5. Chest clears to auscultation Pulse \< 100 O2 sat \> 90% CheComplete resolution of HAPE symptoms RR \< 20 Pulse \< 100 O2 sat \> 90% Chest clear to auscultation complete resolution of HAPE symptoms with RR \< 20, Pulse \< 100, O2 saturation \> 92% and chest clear to auscultation |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Partial improvement in HAPE features | 8 hours | Partial improvement in symptoms and signs as measured by at least one grade improvement in MMRC score, at least 25 percent improvement in all or some of the vital signs or oxygen saturations |
Contacts
Primary ContactFarrukh Saeed, FCPS
Outcome results
None listed