Sixty percent (60%) mean hematocrit in an andean human population permanently exposed to extreme life conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Located over 5435 m, La Rinconada in the district of Puno, Peru is the highest urban centre in the world. This altitude, at which the barometric pressure (BP ¼ 400 mmHg), and the partial oxygen pressure (PpO2 ¼ 80 mmHg) are almost half from sea level values (BP ¼ 760 mmHg; PpO2 ¼ 159 mmHg), is considered the border line at which permanent human life is possible. However, La Rinconada dwellers are furthermore gold mine workers, thus exposed to additional mine hypoxia and chemical mercury toxicity Methods: In the present work we aimed to determine the basal physiological param of La Rinconada residents. Hematocrit (hct), pulse, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), as well as the prevalence of chronic mountain sickness (CMS; international criteria Xining China, 2004) was evaluated in 346 subjects (39 women and 307 men). The collected data was subdivided in eight groups from 18 to 58 years old...