Cerebral Hemodynamic Characteristics of Acute Mountain Sickness Upon Acute High-altitude Exposure at 3,700 M in Young Chinese Men

Overview

Journal Eur J Appl Physiol

Specialty Physiology

Date 2014 Jul 6

PMID 24996805

Citations 3

Authors

Shi-Zhu Bian

Jun Jin

Qian-Ning Li

Jun Qin

Ji-Hang Zhang

Shi-Yong Yu

Jian-Fei Chen

Cai-Fa Tang

Lan Huang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed at identifying the cerebral hemodynamic characteristics of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography examinations were performed between 18 and 24 h after arrival at 3,700 m via plane from 500 m (n = 454). A subgroup of 151 subjects received TCD examinations at both altitudes.

Results: The velocities of the middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) increased while the pulsatility indexes (PIs) and resistance indexes (RIs) decreased significantly (all p < 0.05). Velocities of BA were higher in AMS (AMS+) individuals when compared with non-AMS (AMS-) subjects (systolic velocity: 66 ± 12 vs. 69 ± 15 cm/s, diastolic velocity: 29 ± 7 vs. 31 ± 8 cm/s and mean velocity, 42 ± 9 vs. 44 ± 10 cm/s). AMS was characterized by higher diastolic velocity [V d_VA (26 ± 4 vs. 25 ± 4, p = 0.013)] with lower PI and RI (both p = 0.004) in VA. Furthermore, the asymmetry index (AI) of VAs was significantly lower in the AMS + group [-5.7 % (21.0 %) vs. -2.5 % (17.8 %), p = 0.016]. The AMS score was closely correlated with the hemodynamic parameters of BA and the V d_VA, PI, RI and AI of VA.

Conclusion: AMS is associated with alterations in cerebral hemodynamics in the posterior circulation rather than the anterior one, and is characterized by higher blood velocity with lower resistance. In addition, the asymmetry of VAs may be involved in AMS.

Citing Articles

Principal Component Analysis and Risk Factors for Acute Mountain Sickness upon Acute Exposure at 3700 m.

Bian S, Jin J, Zhang J, Li Q, Yu J, Yu S PLoS One. 2015; 10(11):e0142375.

PMID: 26554385 PMC: 4640520. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142375.

Wilderness medicine at high altitude: recent developments in the field.

Shah N, Hussain S, Cooke M, OHara J, Mellor A Open Access J Sports Med. 2015; 6:319-28.

PMID: 26445563 PMC: 4590685. DOI: 10.2147/OAJSM.S89856.

Hemodynamic characteristics of high-altitude headache following acute high altitude exposure at 3700 m in young Chinese men.

Bian S, Jin J, Li Q, Yu J, Tang C, Rao R J Headache Pain. 2015; 16:527.

PMID: 25968101 PMC: 4431987. DOI: 10.1186/s10194-015-0527-3.

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