Understanding Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in High-Altitude Environments: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Treatment

Approximately 2% of the global population lives above 1500 m, where low atmospheric pressure, decreased oxygen levels, harsh cold and dry conditions, strong radiation, and the effects of climate change present significant health challenges. Residents of these high-altitude areas display physiological adaptions, including smaller body size, enlarged ribs, improved oxygen delivery in hypoxic conditions, and adjustments in oxygen utilization and metabolism. Both acute and chronic hypoxia prevalent in such regions can trigger various diseases by stimulating hypoxia-inducible factors, boosting inflammatory responses, and impairing mitochondrial function. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) – a critical respiratory condition associated with high morbidity and mortality – occurs more frequently among the health risks in these environments. Hypoxia is a critical predisposing and aggravating factor for high-altitude ARDS. Despite similarities with its low-altitude counterpart, ARDS in high-altitude areas displays unique pathophysiology and clinical manifestations due to the specific environmental conditions. This review aims to shed light on how high-altitude environments influence the diagnosis and treatment of ARDS, providing a comprehensive understanding of the distinct challenges inherent to these regions.