Abstract | BACKGROUND: Improvement of oxygenation is the aim in the therapy of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). However, descent is often difficult and hyperbaric chambers, as well as bottled oxygen, are often not available. We compare Auto-PEEP (AP-Pat), a special kind of pursed lips breathing, against the application of bottled oxygen (O2-Pat) in two patients suffering from HAPE. METHODS: We compare the effect of these two different therapies on oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) over time. RESULT: In both patients SpO2 increased significantly from 65-70% to 95%. Above 80% this increase was slower in AP-Pat compared with O2-Pat. Therapy started immediately in AP-Pat but was delayed in O2-Pat because of organizational and logistic reasons. CONCLUSIONS: The well-established therapies of HAPE are always the option of choice, if available, and should be started as soon as possible. The advantage of Auto-PEEP is its all-time availability. It improves SpO2 nearly as well as 3 L/min oxygen and furthermore has a positive effect on oxygenation lasting for approximately 120 min after stopping. Auto-PEEP treatment does not appear inferior to oxygen treatment, at least in this cross-case comparison. Its immediate application after diagnosis probably plays an important role here.
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Authors | Markus Tannheimer, Raimund Lechner |
Journal | International journal of environmental research and public health
(Int J Environ Res Public Health)
Vol. 19
Issue 23
(Dec 03 2022)
ISSN: 1660-4601 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 36498257
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Humans
- Oxygen
(therapeutic use)
- Pulmonary Edema
(therapy, etiology)
- Altitude Sickness
(therapy, complications)
- Oximetry
(adverse effects)
- Altitude
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