Wilderness & environmental medicine
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Wilderness Environ Med · Dec 2014
High-intensity intermittent exercise increases pulmonary interstitial edema at altitude but not at simulated altitude.
Ascent to high altitude leads to a reduction in ambient pressure and a subsequent fall in available oxygen. The resulting hypoxia can lead to elevated pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, capillary stress, and an increase in interstitial fluid. This fluid can be assessed on lung ultrasound (LUS) by the presence of B-lines. We undertook a chamber and field study to assess the impact of high-intensity exercise in hypoxia on the development of pulmonary interstitial edema in healthy lowlanders. ⋯ HIIE led to an increase in B-lines at altitude after subacute exposure but not during acute exposure at equivalent simulated altitude. This may indicate pulmonary interstitial edema.
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Wilderness Environ Med · Dec 2014
New Zealand land search and rescue operations: an analysis of medical and traumatic conditions.
The aim of this study was to describe the range and types of medical and traumatic conditions encountered in land search and rescue operations in New Zealand. ⋯ Search and rescue personnel are exposed to a broad range of medical and traumatic conditions. In New Zealand, they include preexisting cognitive impairment that results in persons lost in urban environments. Notwithstanding this, many subjects will also need to be managed in remote, resource-limited environments for extended periods. First aid training and field equipment should reflect these demands.
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Wilderness Environ Med · Dec 2014
Medical student electives in wilderness medicine: curriculum guidelines.
Wilderness medicine has been a part of medical student education for many years and is becoming more popular. To help standardize and improve the student experience, we surveyed current elective directors to gain an understanding of what experts in the field thought were priority elements in a wilderness medicine elective. Although there is a diversity of opinion among leaders in the field, there are multiple topics on which there is concordance on inclusion or exclusion.