Adult subacute mountain sickness—a syndrome of congestive heart failure in man at very high altitude

A new type of mountain sickness is decribed. 21 men (age 22·2, standard deviation [SD] 1·8 years) had severe congestive heart failure with oedema and ascites after 10·8 (SD 5·9) weeks at altitudes of 5800-6700 m. Investigation, within 3 days of transfer to 300 m, showed polycythaemia, cardiomegaly with right ventricular enlargement, and (in 17) pericardial effusion. The heart failure resolved rapidly after transfer from high altitude.