Treatment of acute mountain sickness: hyperbaric versus oxygen therapy.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

To compare the benefits of simulated descent in a hyperbaric chamber with those of supplementary oxygen for the treatment of acute mountain sickness.

DESIGN:

A prospective study.

SETTING:

The Snake River Health Clinic in Keystone, Colorado, which has an altitude of 2,850 m (9,300 ft).

TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS:

Twenty-four patients who presented with acute mountain sickness.

INTERVENTIONS:

A simulated descent of 1,432 m (4,600 ft) was attained by placing the patients in a fabric hyperbaric chamber and pressurizing the chamber to 120 mm Hg (2.3 PSI) above ambient pressure. Patients were randomly assigned to either the hyperbaric treatment or treatment with 4 L of oxygen given by facemask; both treatments lasted for two hours.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Mean arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) increased 7% (84 +/- 2% to 91 +/- 1%) with pressurization and 14% (83 +/- 4% to 96 +/- 1%) with oxygen during treatment over pretreatment levels. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness decreased as rapidly with pressurization as with oxygen treatment, despite significantly higher SaO2 in the oxygen-treated group during treatment. Symptomatic improvement was retained in both groups at least one hour after treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Simulated descent in a fabric hyperbaric chamber is as effective as oxygen therapy for the immediate relief of acute mountain sickness.

• Authors: J F Kasic, M Yaron, R A Nicholas, J A Lickteig, R Roach
• Journal: Annals of emergency medicine (Ann Emerg Med) Vol. 20 Issue 10 Pg. 1109-12 (Oct 1991) ISSN: 0196-0644 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1928883 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Altitude Sickness (therapy)
• Atmosphere Exposure Chambers
• Female
• Hemodynamics
• Humans
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mountaineering
• Prospective Studies