63 - High altitude resuscitation

Summary

Cardiac arrest in remote areas such as in the wilderness and at high altitude cannot be compared directly with cardiac arrest in the urban setting, and both scenarios merit specific consideration. Given that mountains and, in particular, ski resorts have become increasingly popular with tourists, the occurrence of cardiac arrest in more remote places becomes an epidemiologic problem. Moreover, millions of people worldwide travel by plane, where they are exposed to a high altitude environment that may contribute to cardiocirculatory problems or even cardiac arrest. This chapter focuses on both of these specific settings and their relevant physiologic and epidemiologic characteristics.

Cardiac arrest resulting from high altitude on mountains

Worldwide, it is estimated that approximately 40 million individuals live above 8000 feet, and 25 million live above 10 000 feet. Both travelers who arrive abruptly into an hypoxic environment and residents who live year round at such altitudes have different risks for cardiac arrest. Mountain sports activities and tourism are attracting increasing numbers of participants each year. This, combined with the rapid ascent made possible by air transportation, results in increased members of unacclimatized individuals at risk for high-altitude illness. More than 1 million visitors travel annually to the remote high mountain ranges of Asia, Africa, and South America. Approximately 35 million visitors travel annually to high-altitude recreation areas in the western United States.

The clinical syndrome of high-altitude illness comprises several symptoms that may overlap and share a common pathophysiology.