Browsing by Autor "Zubieta-Calleja, Gustavo R"

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High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, High Altitude Cerebral Edema, and Acute Mountain Sickness: an enhanced opinion from the High Andes - La Paz, Bolivia 3,500 m.
(2023) Zubieta-Calleja, Gustavo R; Zubieta-DeUrioste, Natalia
Traveling to high altitudes for entertainment or work is sometimes associated with acute high altitude pathologies. In the past, scientific literature from the lowlander point of view was primarily based on mountain climbing. Sea level scientists developed all guidelines, but they need modifications for medical care in high altitude cities. Acute Mountain Sickness, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, and High Altitude Cerebral Edema are medical conditions that some travelers can face. We present how to diagnose and treat acute high altitude pathologies, based on 51 years of high altitude physiology research and medical practice in hypobaric hypoxic diseases in La Paz, Bolivia (3,600 m; 11,811 ft), at the High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI - IPPA). These can occasionally present after flights to high altitude cities, both in lowlanders or high-altitude residents during re-entry. Acute high altitude ascent diseases can be adequately diagnosed and treated in high altitude cities following the presented guidelines. Treating these high-altitude illnesses, we had no loss of life. Traveling to a high altitude with sound medical advice should not be feared as it has many benefits. Nowadays, altitude descent and evacuation are not mandatory in populated highland cities, with adequate medical resources.
Morphological and functional findings in COVID-19 lung disease as compared to Pneumonia, ARDS, and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema.
(2023) Zubieta-Calleja, Gustavo R; Zubieta-DeUrioste, Natalia; de Jesús Montelongo, Felipe; Sanchez, Manuel Gabriel Romo; Campoverdi, Aurio Fajardo; Rocco, Patricia Rieken Macedo; Battaglini, Denise; Ball, Lorenzo; Pelosi, Paolo
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) may severely affect respiratory function and evolve to life-threatening hypoxia. The clinical experience led to the implementation of standardized protocols assuming similarity to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Understanding the histopathological and functional patterns is essential to better understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and then develop new therapeutic strategies. Epithelial and endothelial cell damage can result from the virus attack, thus leading to immune-mediated response. Pulmonary histopathological findings show the presence of Mallory bodies, alveolar coating cells with nuclear atypia, reactive pneumocytes, reparative fibrosis, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, moderate inflammatory infiltrates, micro-abscesses, microthrombus, hyaline membrane fragments, and emphysema-like lung areas. COVID-19 patients may present different respiratory stages from silent to critical hypoxemia, are associated with the degree of pulmonary parenchymal involvement, thus yielding alteration of ventilation and perfusion relationships. This review aims to: discuss the morphological (histopathological and radiological) and functional findings of COVID-19 compared to acute interstitial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), four entities that share common clinical traits, but have peculiar pathophysiological features with potential implications to their clinical management.