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  5. Chronic mountain sickness: a comprehensive review of current management and proposals for novel therapies
 
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Chronic mountain sickness: a comprehensive review of current management and proposals for novel therapies
File(s)
Adams, Peel_Chronic mountain sickness- A Comprehensive Review of Current Management and Proposals for Novel Therapies_Final submission.docx (254.71 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Adams, Edmund
Peel, Tamlyn
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is an acquired condition affecting 5%–10% of high-altitude residents. Lifelong exposure to chronic hypoxia triggers excessive erythrocytosis, resulting in an expanded hematocrit. Patients present with symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and palpitations. Complications such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure are often fatal. Relocation to sea level remains the only definitive management of CMS but poses an unacceptable personal burden. Long-term oxygen therapy provides symptomatic relief, but dependency issues remain a concern. Phlebotomy reduces hematocrit and offers short-term symptom relief. However, side effects and cultural conflicts continue to pose challenges. Acetazolamide, enalapril, and medroxyprogesterone have lowered hematocrit and alleviated symptoms in human trials. Further research into systemic side effects, application in women, and long-term use is required. Methylxanthines, adrenergic blockers, almitrine, and dopamine antagonists showed promise in murine and/or short-term human trials, highlighting the need for further long-term human trials. Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor and Janus Kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways is currently used to suppress hematocrit in polycythemia vera, demonstrating potential application in CMS. Topiramate may stimulate ventilation via acid-base modulation, thus providing therapeutic value. Similarly, the effect of aspirin and caffeine on ventilation may provide a low-cost, accessible intervention.
Date Issued
2025-05-07
Date Acceptance
2025-03-30
Citation
High Altitude Medicine and Biology, 2025
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/120739
URL
https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0127
DOI
https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1089/ham.2024.0127
ISSN
1527-0297
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert
Journal / Book Title
High Altitude Medicine and Biology
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2025-05-07
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