The Oxygen Transport Triad in High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema: A Perspective from the High Andes

Acute high-altitude illnesses are of great concern for physicians and people traveling to high altitude. Our recent article “Acute Mountain Sickness, High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema Cerebral Edema, a View from the High Andes” was questioned by some sea-level experts. As result this, we answer observations further explain our opinion on these diseases. (HAPE) can be better understood through Oxygen Transport Triad, which involves pneumo-dynamic pump (ventilation), hemo-dynamic (heart circulation), hemoglobin. The two pumps first physiologic response upon initial exposure hypobaric hypoxia. Hemoglobin is balancing energy-saving time-evolving equilibrating factor. acid-base balance must adequately interpreted using Van Slyke correction factors. Pulse-oximetry measurements during breath-holding at altitude allow evaluation Tolerance Hypoxia Formula shows that, paradoxically, higher altitude, more tolerance In order survive, all organisms adapt physiologically optimally environment, there cannot any “loss adaptation”. A favorable evolution in HAPE pulmonary hypertension oxygen treatment along with other measures.