LUNG PATHOLOGY IN HIGH-ALTITUDE PULMONARY-EDEMA

Autopsy findings in 10 cases of high-altitude pulmonary edema have bee n collected from published articles and personal observations. All cas es were males with a mean age of 37 years (22-62), The altitude of occ urrence was from 8400 to 17500 feet. The mean combined lung weight in nine cases was 1682 g (1200-3000 g). Cerebral edema was present in fiv e of eight cases. The most frequency pulmonary findings in addition to diffuse edema consisted of leukocyte infiltrates, alveolar hemorrhage s, thrombi in small pulmonary arteries, and alveolar hyaline membranes . Pulmonary infarction was present in only one case. Right ventricular dilatation was commonly present. The left ventricle was normal. No si gnificant coronary disease was present.