A tragic report of probable high-altitude pulmonary edema in the Himalayas: preventive implications.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a well-recognized disease entity in trekkers to the Nepal Himalayas. We present the case of a patient who had clinical features consistent with HAPE but did not descend the mountain on time, which contributed to his death. The important factors of the diagnosis, the descent, and the follow-up in Kathmandu are examined.