Renal function in high-altitude natives and in natives with chronic mountain sickness

When compared with sea-level residents, the healthy natives living at an altitude of 4,540 m show a 12% reduction in the glomerular filtration rate, a 37% reduction in effective renal plasma flow, a 12% reduction in effective renal blood flow, and an increase of 39% in the filtration fraction. The corresponding values in patients with chronic mountain sickness living at 4,300 m above sea level are: glomerular filtration rate, 32% reduction; effective renal plasma flow, 57% reduction; effective renal blood flow, 9% increase; and filtration fraction, 56% increase. The mean hematocrit values of the healthy and sick natives investigated were 59 and 79%, respectively. The possible relationships between cardiac output, hematocrit values, and renal hemodynamics are discussed. altitude stress; blood flow, kidney; glomerular filtration Submitted on October 5, 1964