Cystic Fibrosis at Extreme Altitude: Case Report and Review

摘要

There is an increasing number of people with a variety of chronic illnesses traveling to high altitudes. In this report we present a 40 year old individual with cystic fibrosis who travels to extreme altitude (above 5500 m, 18,000 ft) while trekking in Nepal. Information about people with cystic fibrosis traveling to altitudes above 2000 m is limited, but most studies report significant oxygen desaturation during exercise at altitudes above 1500 m. We report that this individual trekked to an elevation of 5554 m (Kala Patar) and maintained oxygen saturations within normal range for healthy individuals at similar altitudes.Baseline pulmonary function data, genotype, medical and exercise history are presented. We conclude that select individuals with cystic fibrosis who are optimally treated and have excellent baseline pulmonary function tests may be able to travel above moderate altitudes.