Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism at High Altitude in a Mountaineer with Hereditary Thrombophilia

High Alt Med Biol. 2024 Jun 3. doi: 10.1089/ham.2023.0110. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Szymczak, Robert K., Magdalena Sawicka, and Małgorzata Jelitto. Recurrent pulmonary embolism at high altitude in a mountaineer with hereditary thrombophilia. High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 2024.-It is speculated that high-altitude travel is an independent risk factor for thrombosis. Mountaineering-specific factors, such as hypoxia, cold, and immobilization, may interact with patient-specific risk factors and contribute to thrombus formation. We present the case of a mountaineer with hereditary thrombophilia who experienced recurrent pulmonary embolism during high-altitude expeditions.

Keywords: high altitude; hypoxia; mountaineering; pulmonary embolism; thrombophilia; venous thromboembolism.