Relation of Patent Foramen Ovale to Acute Mountain Sickness

Brian H. West, Rubine Gevorgyan Fleming, Bashar Al Hemyari, Pooya Banankhah, Kenneth Meyer, Leslie H. Rozier, Linda S. Murphy, Alexandra C. Coluzzi, Joshua L. Rusheen, Preetham Kumar, David Elashoff, Jonathan M. Tobis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Over 50% of patients who rapidly ascend to extreme altitudes develop various symptoms known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), which rarely can be life threatening. It is unclear why some patients are more susceptible to AMS than others. Our objective was to determine whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a risk factor for AMS. Subjects who had hiked to altitudes above 10,000′ (∼3,000 meters) on the John Muir Trail in California were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire and 2-physician adjudication was performed in regard to AMS status. A transcranial Doppler with agitated saline contrast injection was performed to evaluate the presence or absence of PFO. The primary outcome was the development of AMS. From 2016 to 2018, 137 hikers were recruited into the study. There was a higher prevalence of PFO in hikers with AMS 15 of 24 (63%) compared with hikers without AMS 44 of 113 (39%); p = 0.034. In the multivariate model, the presence of a PFO significantly increased the risk for developing AMS: odds ratio 4.15, 95% confidence intervals 1.14 to 15.05; p = 0.030. In conclusion, hikers with a PFO had significantly higher risk of developing AMS relative to hikers without a PFO. Clinicians should consider PFO a risk factor in patients who plan to hike to high altitudes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2022-2025
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Cardiology
Volume123
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 15 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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