High-Altitude Cardiopulmonary Diseases

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

15

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

2 Jun 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


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Activity Description

High-altitude pulmonary edema is a life-threatening form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema that typically affects otherwise healthy individuals who ascend rapidly to elevations above 2500 m. The condition is largely preventable, yet it remains the leading cause of death associated with high-altitude exposure. This trend reflects a persistent lack of awareness regarding its recognition, prevention, and treatment. High-altitude pulmonary edema is caused by an exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictive response, leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and subsequent capillary leakage. Key risk factors include rapid ascent, prior history of high-altitude pulmonary edema, intense physical exertion at altitude, and individual susceptibility.

Patients often present with exertional dyspnea, dry cough, decreased exercise tolerance, and hypoxemia, which can progress to tachypnea, orthopnea, and pink frothy sputum. Diagnosis is clinical, supported by imaging and oxygen saturation levels, and requires exclusion of other causes of pulmonary edema. Management involves immediate descent, oxygen supplementation, and pharmacological treatments such as nifedipine or phosphodiesterase inhibitors in select cases. Preventive measures include gradual ascent and prophylactic medications for high-risk individuals.

This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance learners' proficiency in evaluating and managing high-altitude pulmonary edema. Participants deepen their understanding of the condition's etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, evaluation, and management of this condition. Improved skills empower clinicians to collaborate effectively within an interprofessional team caring for individuals with high-altitude pulmonary edema, optimizing outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical and diagnostic features indicative of high-altitude pulmonary edema.

  • Apply personalized, evidence-based management strategies for high-altitude pulmonary edema.

  • Implement communication strategies to educate patients about the risk factors, early symptoms, and prevention of high-altitude pulmonary edema, encouraging timely self-reporting, early intervention, and safer high-altitude travel decisions.

  • Collaborate with the interprofessional team to educate, treat, and monitor patients who are at risk of or experience high-altitude pulmonary edema to improve health outcomes.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Jeffrey D. on 5/18/2021

on 10/3/2021

Brian G. on 11/4/2022

Laurie K. on 12/16/2022

Nithya P. on 3/19/2024

John C. on 11/9/2023

Zachary P. on 12/28/2023

Martin L. on 8/30/2024

Landon K. on 9/21/2024

Meghna R. on 5/1/2025

Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6695 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7958 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$37.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user