Author(s)

Shengyue Yang, Qiquan Zhou, Zifu Shi, Enzhi Feng, Ziqiang Yan, Zhongxin Tian, He Yin, Yong Fan

Center of Respiratory Medicine, The 4th Hospital, Lanzhou Command, PLA, Xining, China.
Department of High Altitude Diseases, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine of PLA, Chongqing, China.
Department of High Altitude Diseases, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China;Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine of PLA, Chongqing, China.
The 68303 Troop Hospital of People’s Liberation Army, Wuwei, China.

The relationship between acute high altitude response (AHAR), cardiac function injury, and high altitude de-adaptation response (HADAR) was assessed. Cardiac function indicators were assessed for 96 men (18 - 35 years old) deployed into a high altitude (3700 - 4800 m) environment requiring intense physical activity. The subjects were divided into 3 groups based on AHAR at high altitude: severe AHAR (n = 24), mild to moderate AHAR (Group B, n = 47) and non-AHAR (Group C, 25); and based on HADAR: severe HADAR (Group E, n = 19), mild to moderate HADAR (Group F, n = 40) and non-HADAR (Group G, n = 37) after return to lower altitude (1,500 m). Cardiac function indicators were measured after 50 days at high altitude and at 12 h, 15 days, and 30 days after return to lower altitude. Controls were 50 healthy volunteers (Group D, n = 50) at 1500 m. Significant differences were observed in cardiac function indicators among groups A, B, C, and D. AHAR score was positively correlated with HADAR score (r = 0.863, P < 0.001). Significant differ- ences were also observed in cardiac function indicators among groups D, E, F, and G, 12 h and15 days after return to lower altitude. There were no significant differences in cardiac function indicators among the groups, 30 days after return to lower altitude, compared to group D. The results indicated that the severity of HADAR is associated with the severity of AHAR and cardiac injury, and prolonged recovery.

Acute High Altitude Response; Cardiac Function; Cardiac Structure; Myocardial Enzyme; Return to Lower Altitude; High Altitude De-Adaptation

Yang, S. , Zhou, Q. , Shi, Z. , Feng, E. , Yan, Z. , Tian, Z. , Yin, H. and Fan, Y. (2013) Relationship between acute high altitude response, cardiac function injury, and high altitude de-adaptation response after returning to lower altitude*. Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine, 1, 4-10. doi: 10.4236/odem.2013.11002.