Abstract
High altitude (HA) defined as elevation above 2500 meters above sea level, tests the resilience of the human physiology. To provide safe and effective medical care in such toilsome conditions requires: a comprehensive knowledge of the pathophysiology and mechanism of human adaptations along with understanding the effects of low atmospheric pressure on functioning of the medical equipment. Hypobaric conditions lead to fall in the arterial oxygen levels which impair oxygen delivery and consequentially the metabolism of the tissues. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is one of the commonest altitude related illness which in its mildest forms can be reversed by simple descent to normal plains. Any additional stress in the form of injuries requiring surgical intervention or anesthesia administration lays more burden on the human body dealing with physiological adaptations. Systemic changes pose patients to higher perioperative bleeding risks due to coagulation abnormalities or thromboembolism due to polycythemia.
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Sodhi, K., Khasne, R., Phillips, A. (2023). Working at High Altitude. In: Hidalgo, J., Da Re, S., D'Almeida, A.G. (eds) High Altitude Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35092-4_20
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