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Comparison of CPAP and Gamow Bag Ventilation to Treat HAPE

Not Applicable
Conditions
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Interventions
Device: Continuous positive airway pressure machine
Registration Number
NCT04710953
Lead Sponsor
sultan mehmood kamran
Brief Summary

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is mostly treated with supplemental oxygen, nifedipine 30mg twice a day, rest, limiting cold exposure and descent (simulated or actual) Gamow Bag provides simulated descent and buy time for actual descent. CPAP is claimed to be effective in many case reports to treat HAPE temporarily until actual descent is taken place. This study aims to evaluate the role of CPAP in treating HAPE at those high altitude stations where Gamow bag is not available and immediate descent is not possible.

Detailed Description

Background:

Swenson described HAPE in 2002, as a form of hydrostatic acute pulmonary edema with an alteration of alveolar-capillary permeability. Overall prevalence of AMS is 10-20% while incidence of HAPE, HACE or mixed incidence is 2-3%. Highest reported incidence of HAPE among Indian soldiers climbing to Siachen glacier is 15.5%. At 1500-2400m, A series of 52 patients admitted for HAPE over a period of 9 years was reported in literature..

Scientific rationale:

Positive pressure has been used to increase altitude tolerance since the 1940s under simulated altitudes. PEEP applied via face mask increased SpO2 and decreased AMS symptoms. CPAP was used after ascent to 3205 m on Mount Cook in New Zealand where it improved SpO2 and reduced symptoms of HAPE. A CPAP helmet providing 15 cmH20 CPAP improved SpO2 in a single HAPE patient (at 5300 m) from 56% to 74%.-1st case report. A study at Thorang La pass (5416 m) in October 2010 in the Nepal Himalaya found that nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is useful as an additional modality to treat presumed high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)- 2nd case report.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male gender

  • Age 18-45 years

  • Previously fit and no comorbids

  • Suspected HAPE

    --arrived in the past 01 week on the post

  • Expected evacuation from post more than 8 hours

Exclusion Criteria
  • Symptoms suggest acute infective etiology.
  • Symptoms after one week of stay at HA
  • Altered mental status.
  • Disturbed balance
  • Visual impairment
  • Severe headache
  • A speedy evacuation to a lower height is available

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CPAP armContinuous positive airway pressure machineIn addition to standard of care, CPAP will be provided at high altitude posts where Gamow bag is not available and all patients of HAPE will be given CPAP when evacuation/descent is either not possible or delayed due to weather conditions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Resolution of HAPE8 hours

No dyspnea at rest, 2. RR \< 20 3. Pulse \< 100 4. O2 sat \> 90% 5. Chest clears to auscultation

Pulse \< 100 O2 sat \> 90% CheComplete resolution of HAPE symptoms RR \< 20 Pulse \< 100 O2 sat \> 90% Chest clear to auscultation complete resolution of HAPE symptoms with RR \< 20, Pulse \< 100, O2 saturation \> 92% and chest clear to auscultation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Partial improvement in HAPE features8 hours

Partial improvement in symptoms and signs as measured by at least one grade improvement in MMRC score, at least 25 percent improvement in all or some of the vital signs or oxygen saturations

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