OBJECTIVE: The ultrasound lung comets detected by chest sonography are a simple, noninvasive, semiquantitative sign of increased extravascular lung water. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by chest sonography, the incidence of interstitial pulmonary edema in recreational high-altitude climbers. DESIGN: Observational study. SUBJECTS: Eighteen healthy subjects (mean age 45 +/- 10 yrs, ten males) participating in a high-altitude trek in Nepal. INTERVENTIONS: Chest and cardiac sonography at sea level and at different altitudes during ascent. Ultrasound lung comets were evaluated on anterior chest at 28 predefined scanning sites. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At individual patient analysis, ultrasound lung comets during ascent appeared in 15 of 18 subjects (83%) at 3440 m above sea level and in 18 of 18 subjects (100%) at 4790 m above sea level in the presence of normal left and right ventricular function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure rise (sea level = 24 +/- 5 mm Hg vs. peak ascent = 42 +/- 11 mm Hg, p < .001). Ultrasound lung comets were absent at baseline (day 2, altitude 1350 m, 1.06 +/- 1.3), increased progressively during the ascent (day 14, altitude 5130 m: 16.5 +/- 8; p < .001 vs. previous steps), and decreased at descent (day 20, altitude 1355 m: 2.9 +/- 1.7; p = nonsignificant vs. baseline). An ultrasound lung comet score showed a negative correlation with O(2) saturation (R = -.7; p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In recreational climbers, chest sonography revealed a high prevalence of clinically silent interstitial pulmonary edema mirrored by decreased O(2) saturation, whereas no statistically significant relationship with pulmonary artery systolic pressure was observed during ascent.
OBJECTIVE: The ultrasound lung comets detected by chest sonography are a simple, noninvasive, semiquantitative sign of increased extravascular lung water. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by chest sonography, the incidence of interstitial pulmonary edema in recreational high-altitude climbers. DESIGN: Observational study. SUBJECTS: Eighteen healthy subjects (mean age 45 +/- 10 yrs, ten males) participating in a high-altitude trek in Nepal. INTERVENTIONS: Chest and cardiac sonography at sea level and at different altitudes during ascent. Ultrasound lung comets were evaluated on anterior chest at 28 predefined scanning sites. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At individual patient analysis, ultrasound lung comets during ascent appeared in 15 of 18 subjects (83%) at 3440 m above sea level and in 18 of 18 subjects (100%) at 4790 m above sea level in the presence of normal left and right ventricular function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure rise (sea level = 24 +/- 5 mm Hg vs. peak ascent = 42 +/- 11 mm Hg, p < .001). Ultrasound lung comets were absent at baseline (day 2, altitude 1350 m, 1.06 +/- 1.3), increased progressively during the ascent (day 14, altitude 5130 m: 16.5 +/- 8; p < .001 vs. previous steps), and decreased at descent (day 20, altitude 1355 m: 2.9 +/- 1.7; p = nonsignificant vs. baseline). An ultrasound lung comet score showed a negative correlation with O(2) saturation (R = -.7; p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In recreational climbers, chest sonography revealed a high prevalence of clinically silent interstitial pulmonary edema mirrored by decreased O(2) saturation, whereas no statistically significant relationship with pulmonary artery systolic pressure was observed during ascent.
Authors: Alyssa Huff; Trevor A Day; Mason English; Mitchell D Reed; Shaelynn Zouboules; Gurkarn Saran; Jack K Leacy; Carli Mann; Joel D B Peltonen; Ken D O'Halloran; Mingma T Sherpa; Teresa Pitts Journal: Respir Physiol Neurobiol Date: 2018-06-18 Impact factor: 1.931
Authors: Luna Gargani; P S Pang; F Frassi; M H Miglioranza; F L Dini; P Landi; E Picano Journal: Cardiovasc Ultrasound Date: 2015-09-04 Impact factor: 2.062
Authors: Michael F Harrison; Paul Anderson; Andrew Miller; Kathy O'Malley; Maile Richert; Jacob Johnson; Bruce D Johnson Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2013-07-17 Impact factor: 2.692