Wilderness & environmental medicine
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of acetazolamide on saccadic latency at 3459 meters.
The effect of altitude on brain function is not yet well understood, nor is the influence of height and speed of ascent. Additionally, the relationship between acute mountain sickness (AMS) symptoms and brain function at altitude is unclear. We hypothesized that a deterioration from baseline measures of brain function occurs after rapid, mechanical ascent to 3459 m and would be less pronounced in persons taking acetazolamide. ⋯ Brain function, measured by saccadic eye movements, appears to be unimpaired after rapid ascent to 3459 m. Although acetazolamide improves oxygen saturations, it may worsen prosaccades, possibly indicating adverse effects of acetazolamide on brain function at moderate altitude.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialExercise limitation of acetazolamide at altitude (3459 m).
To assess the effect of acetazolamide (Az) on exercise performance during early acclimatization to altitude. ⋯ In this study group, and despite higher resting Spo2, Az may have compromised exercise at 3459 m altitude during early acclimatization, particularly in older subjects.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialGinkgo biloba decreases acute mountain sickness in people ascending to high altitude at Ollagüe (3696 m) in northern Chile.
To determine the prophylactic effect of Ginkgo biloba (doses 80 mg/12 h, 24 h before high-altitude ascension and with continued treatment) in preventing acute mountain sickness (AMS) at 3696 m in participants without high-altitude experience. ⋯ This study provides evidence supporting the use of G biloba in the prevention of AMS, demonstrating that 24 hours of pretreatment with G biloba and subsequent maintenance during exposure to high altitude are sufficient to reduce the incidence of AMS in participants with no previous high-altitude experience.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialPerformance characteristics of the second-generation remote emergency medical oxygen closed-circuit rebreather.
Closed-circuit oxygen rebreathers may provide high concentrations of oxygen at extremely low flow rates appropriate for field use with limited oxygen supplies. The performance of the preproduction, second-generation remote emergency medical oxygen (REMO(2)) system developed for Divers Alert Network was evaluated. ⋯ The second-generation REMO(2) was well tolerated by healthy subjects during 8-hour laboratory evaluation trials. The device provided high mean inspired oxygen fractions at low mean oxygen flow rates, relatively modest mean maximal inspired and expired pressures, and excellent scrubber canister duration. Further evaluation of field performance with a patient population is warranted.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMedroxyprogesterone at high altitude. The effects on blood gases, cerebral regional oxygenation, and acute mountain sickness.
To study the effect of medroxyprogesterone on blood gases and cerebral regional oxygenation at high altitude, alone and in conjunction with acetazolamide, and to assess the effect on acute mountain sickness (AMS). ⋯ Medroxyprogesterone acts as a respiratory stimulant, but the clinical benefit regarding the development of AMS was unproven at high altitude. Combined medroxyprogesterone and acetazolamide gave the best PaO2.