Clinical Trial: The Incidence of Subclinical High-altitude Pulmonary Oedema at High Altitude

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title:

Brief Summary: The aim of this investigation is to determine the incidence of silent interstitial pulmonary edema by chest ultrasound at moderate altitude (3905m). Secondary endpoints are to detect a suspected association with acute mountain sickness (AMS), co-morbidities and endothelial dysfunction (marker of hypoxia responses, endothelial damage and inflammation).

Detailed Summary:

The high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is the leading cause of death from high altitude sickness. At moderate altitude (2500-4500m) the incidence (0.2-6%) may be underestimated because only clinical HAPE leads to symptoms and motivates the patient to seek medical advice. Cremona et al. [Cremona et al. Pulmonary extravascular fluid accumulation in recreational climbers: a prospective study. Lancet 2002;359:303-09] suggested that a silent interstitial pulmonary edema arises in most recreational climbers at moderate altitude. Recently, chest sonography has been shown to effectively detect pulmonary edema and quantify extravascular lung water through the sign of "ultrasound lung comets" (ULCs) originating from water-thickened interlobular septa [Lichtenstein D et al. The comet-tail artifact. An ultrasound sign of alveolar-interstitial syndrome. Am J Respir Crit Care Med;156:1640-46]. The technique requires only basic twodimensional technology and has been applied in extreme, out-of-hospital setting, showing in recreational climbers a high prevalence of clinically silent interstitial pulmonary edema at high-altitude [Pratali L et al. Frequent subclinical high-altitude pulmonary edema detected by chest sonography as ultrasound lung comets in recreational climbers. Crit Care Med 2010;38:1818-23]. However, data for moderate altitude remain scarce, despite that mountaineers are increasing in age and comorbidities and could be more prone to high altitude emergencies.

Prospective, non-randomised, observational study. Study participants are recruited from a scientific research group lead by the Ohio State University during a glaciology study on the Ortles Glacier in South Tyrol (3905m).

Patients are tested for a baseline measure, during a permanent stay on the glacier camp (3h, 9h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 7d ). Parameters include c
Sponsor: Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

Current Primary Outcome: Changes in the number of beta-lines in chest sonography [ Time Frame: at 0 (arrival at 3830m), 9, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and at day 7 ]

as marker of subclinical pulmonary edema


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Changes from baseline of optic nerve sheath diameter [ Time Frame: at 0 (arrival at 3830m), 3, 9, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and at day 7 ]
    evaluated by optical nerve sonography
  • Changes from baseline in RNA expression in circulating polymorphonucleated [ Time Frame: at 9, 24, 72 hours and day 7 ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

Dates:
Date Received: February 14, 2013
Date Started: July 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: February 15, 2013
Last Verified: February 2013