Poliglobulia patológica de altura, diversidad clínica y exámenes complementarios

Abstract

Abstract. Clinical and laboratory findings of 42 patients with High Altitude Polycythemia were analyzed consecutively. All patients had hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) levels above 19 g/dl and 60%, respectively. Patients with obesity and/or cardiorespiratory disease were excluded from the study. All lung function tests were normal. The patients were divided in 2 groups: group A: 11 Patients under 35 years; group B: 31 patients above 35 years. These 2 groups were compared to each other. The results show that High Altitude Polycythemia is a clinical condition in high altitude natives, even in young adults in whom 2 important risk factors are residence at altitudes of 4000 m and moderate overweight. A great variety of clinical findings is present in relation to cardiorespiratory, hematological and neurological symptoms. Alterations of EKG, chest X ray and echocardiogram are characterized by overload of the right chambers.