References
Pulse oximetry to predict the onset of acute mountain sickness: a literature review
Abstract
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common illness affecting people ascending to high altitudes. AMS may progress rapidly, and can be fatal if symptoms are neglected, acclimatisation processes fail or if the ascent continues. For many patients with AMS or AMS symptoms, medical assistance is given by mountain rescue and allied health professionals. Currently, the prediction of AMS in the high-altitude environment relies upon recognising and tracking subjective symptoms. However, owing to psychophysical factors commonly associated with high-altitude travel, such as stress and fatigue, subjective symptom recall is innately at risk of bias. There is no objective method for predicting AMS. This scoping literature review analyses the accuracy of pulse oximetry as a tool for predicting the onset of AMS.
Travelling to high-altitude regions ≥2500 m above sea level requires physiological adaption and acclimatisation to a lower partial pressure of oxygen (Higgins et al, 2010; Shen et al, 2012). If adaption processes fail owing to rapid ascent or exceptional physiological characteristics (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure), individuals are at risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the development of high-mortality illnesses including high-altitude cerebral oedema and pulmonary oedema (Higgins et al, 2010; Imray et al, 2010; Jensen and Vincent, 2020).
Globally, AMS affects between 40% and 90% of unacclimatised individuals ascending over 500 m per day to altitudes between 4500 m and 6000 m (Muza et al, 2010; Kayser et al, 2012). AMS symptoms commonly include headache, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and lassitude, and regularly present 4–12 hours after arrival at the high-altitude location (Luks et al, 2019; Swenson and Bärtsch, 2016). Importantly, AMS symptoms resolve with descent or supplementary oxygen (Higgins et al, 2010; Jensen and Vincent, 2018).
Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice
Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.
What's included
-
CPD Focus
-
Develop your career
-
Stay informed