Acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral oedema

Abstract

This chapter summarises advances made over the last 12 years regarding our understanding of the pathophysiology and its clinical implications in acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). Issues on the definition and diagnosis of AMS and HACE as well as determinants of incidence and susceptibility are discussed. Furthermore, new studies on prevention and treatment of AMS are critically evaluated. Findings on lung function, gas exchange, metabolism, hormonal response, markers of inflammation, changes in the autonomic nervous system, cerebral blood flow, and brain imaging are reviewed. The results of these examinations are incorporated into an overall concept relating to the underlying pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral oedema.