Increased elevation → decreased partial pressure of O2 → decreased PaO2
Hypoxic ventilatory response results in ↑ ventilation to maintain PaO2
Vigor of this inborn response relates to successful acclimatization
Initial hyperventilation is attenuated by respiratory alkalosis
As renal excretion of bicarb compensates for respiratory alkalosis, pH returns toward normal
Process of maximizing ventilation culminates within 4-7 days at a given<unk> 
With continuing ascent the central chemoreceptors reset to ever lower values of PaCO2
Completeness of acclimatization can be gauged by partial pressure of arterial CO2
Acetazolamide, which results in bicarb diuresis, can facilitate this process
Hypoxic ventilatory response results in ↑ ventilation to maintain PaO2
Vigor of this inborn response relates to successful acclimatization
As renal excretion of bicarb compensates for respiratory alkalosis, pH returns toward normal
With continuing ascent the central chemoreceptors reset to ever lower values of PaCO2
Completeness of acclimatization can be gauged by partial pressure of arterial CO2
Acetazolamide, which results in bicarb diuresis, can facilitate this process
Erythropoietin level begins to rise within 2 days of ascent to<unk> 
Takes days to weeks to significantly increase red cell mass
This adaptation is not important for the initial acclimatization process
This adaptation is not important for the initial acclimatization process
Peripheral venoconstriction on ascent to<unk>  causes increase in central blood volume
This leads to decreased ADH → diuresis
This diuresis, along with bicarb diuresis, is considered a healthy response to<unk> 
One of the hallmarks of AMS is antidiuresis
This leads to decreased ADH → diuresis
This diuresis, along with bicarb diuresis, is considered a healthy response to<unk> 
One of the hallmarks of AMS is antidiuresis
One of the hallmarks of AMS is antidiuresis
SV decreases initially while HR increases to maintain CO
Cardiac muscle in healthy patients can withstand extreme hypoxemia without ischemic events
Pulmonary circulation constricts with exposure to hypoxia
Degree of pulmonary hypertension varies; a hyper-reactive response is associated with HAPE
Degree of pulmonary hypertension varies; a hyper-reactive response is associated with HAPE
High altitude medicine
Acute mountain sickness
Trauma sedation
Chronic mountain sickness
Immunocompromised antibiotics
High altitude cerebral edema
ICU sedation
High altitude pulmonary edema