• J F Kasic, M Yaron, R A Nicholas, J A Lickteig, and R Roach.
• Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309-0424.
• Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Oct 1;20(10):1109-12.

Study ObjectivesTo compare the benefits of simulated descent in a hyperbaric chamber with those of supplementary oxygen for the treatment of acute mountain sickness.DesignA prospective study.SettingThe Snake River Health Clinic in Keystone, Colorado, which has an altitude of 2,850 m (9,300 ft).Type Of ParticipantsTwenty-four patients who presented with acute mountain sickness.InterventionsA simulated descent of 1,432 m (4,600 ft) was attained by placing the patients in a fabric hyperbaric chamber and pressurizing the chamber to 120 mm Hg (2.3 PSI) above ambient pressure. Patients were randomly assigned to either the hyperbaric treatment or treatment with 4 L of oxygen given by facemask; both treatments lasted for two hours.Measurements And Main ResultsMean arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) increased 7% (84 +/- 2% to 91 +/- 1%) with pressurization and 14% (83 +/- 4% to 96 +/- 1%) with oxygen during treatment over pretreatment levels. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness decreased as rapidly with pressurization as with oxygen treatment, despite significantly higher SaO2 in the oxygen-treated group during treatment. Symptomatic improvement was retained in both groups at least one hour after treatment.ConclusionSimulated descent in a fabric hyperbaric chamber is as effective as oxygen therapy for the immediate relief of acute mountain sickness.

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