High Altitude Illness

Descend + O₂ + dexamethasone

Red flags
  • HAPE (dyspnoea at rest, pink frothy sputum)
  • HACE (ataxia, altered mental state)
  • Retinal haemorrhage

First steps

  • Descend 500-1000 m
  • O₂
  • Portable hyperbaric bag if descent impossible

Key investigations

  • Clinical diagnosis; USS for HAPE (lung comets)

Differentials

  • Pneumonia, PE, hypothermia

Initial management

  • AMS: acetazolamide 250 mg BD, ibuprofen
  • HAPE: nifedipine 30 mg MR BD, PDE5i, descend + O₂
  • HACE: dexamethasone 8 mg then 4 mg q6h, descend

Referral

  • Retrieval / evacuation team
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