Reversal of Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient with Chronic Mountain Sickness after Relocation to Low Altitude

Abstract

Long-term high altitude residence can be complicated by development of Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) characterised by excessive erythrocytosis and neurological symptoms. In some patients, CMS may be associated with various degrees of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). There have been no reports on changes in the pulmonary circulation and Right Ventricular (RV) structure following translocation to low altitude of patients with CMS. Here the authors report a case of 56 years old female patient, resident of Sary Mogol (3,000 m, Kyrgyzstan), diagnosed of CMS on clinical and laboratory examination. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed slightly dilated Right ventricle and significantly enlarged Pulmonary Artery diameter was found. The patient undergone complete resolution of symptoms and alleviation of PH within three years of residence at low altitude. Thus, relocation to low altitude cures CMS and reverses PH.

Keywords

• erythrocytosis
• high altitude
• neurological symptoms
• pulmonary circulation