Learning objectives To understand the pathophysiology of high-altitude pulmonary edema To illustrate typical radiological findings To describe important differential diagnoses

Background High altitude pulmonal edema (HAPE) is an acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by patchy hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction [1,2]. Typically, this form of pulmonary edema is seen in people who travel from lower elevation to high elevation (>2500 m) and is related to altitude and rate of ascent [3,4,5]. HAPE mainly occurs due to exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and elevated pulmonary artery pressure (Fig.1). The estimated incidence in high altitude in our region is about 0.05-0.1%. High altitude pulmonary edema must be considered in acute...

Findings and procedure details Differentiating HAPE from pneumonia or heart failure can be difficult. Rapid response to oxygen therapy strongly suggests the diagnosis of high-altitude pulmonary edema. Very difficult to diagnose is HAPE with concomitant pneumonia. Imaging of HAPE Imaging findings in high altitude pulmonary edema are bilateral multiple prevalent perihilar sided vascular opacities in the lung parenchyma at chest radiograph (Fig 2). On CT we can see bilateral multiple peribroncovascular parenchymal consolidations, partially confluent (Fig.3 and Fig.4). Pneumonia can have extensive infiltrates on chest...

Conclusion High altitude pulmonal edema (HAPE) is an acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by patchy hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and have to be considered in acute care centers in regions with high mountains. This form of pulmonary edema is seen in people who travel from lower elevation to high elevation (>2500 m) and is related to altitude and rate of ascent. HAPE mainly occurs due to exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and elevated pulmonary artery pressure. This kind of edema causes a form of consolidation which tends...

S. Stuppner; Bozen/IT - nothing to disclose A. Ruiu; Bozen/IT - nothing to disclose

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