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The standard drug treatment of dexamethasone does not alter the hypoxia or the consequent vasoconstriction, but stimulates fluid reabsorption in the lungs to reverse the edema. Additionally, several studies on native populations remaining at high altitudes have demonstrated to varying degrees the blunting of the HPV response.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) occurs diffusely, leading to arterial vasoconstriction in all areas of the lung. This is evidenced by the appearance of "diffuse," "fluffy," and "patchy" infiltrates described on imaging studies of climbers with known HAPE.
↑ kidney excretion of bicarbonate (use of acetazolamide can augment for treatment) Chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (can cause right ventricular hypertrophy) People with high-altitude sickness generally have reduced hyperventilator response, impaired gas exchange, fluid retention or increased sympathetic drive.
By contrast, in the lungs, the response to hypoxia is vasoconstriction. This is known as hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, or "HPV", and has the effect of redirecting blood away from poorly ventilated regions, which helps match perfusion to ventilation, giving a more even oxygenation of blood from different parts of the lungs. [81]
Two causes are vascular changes as a result of tissue damage (e.g. disease, hypoxic injury), and chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. If left untreated, then death may result. The heart and lungs are intricately related; whenever the heart is affected by a disease, the lungs risk following and vice versa. [citation needed]
Silent hypoxia (also known as happy hypoxia) [1] [2] is generalised hypoxia that does not coincide with shortness of breath. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] This presentation is known to be a complication of COVID-19 , [ 6 ] [ 7 ] and is also known in walking pneumonia , [ 8 ] altitude sickness , [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] and rebreather diving .
Treatment of the underlying cause is required, if possible. The treatment of acute respiratory failure may involve medication such as bronchodilators (for airways disease), [7] [8] antibiotics (for infections), glucocorticoids (for numerous causes), diuretics (for pulmonary oedema), amongst others.
Causes include hypoxia, meconium aspiration, and respiratory distress syndrome. Left untreated, this can lead to hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF). [1] Decreased diameter of pulmonary vessels with hypertrophy of vessel walls: This has a poor prognosis, as it is a fixed abnormality.