To compare the incomparable: COVID-19 pneumonia and high-altitude disease. Issue 6 (25th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strapazzon, Giacomo; Hilty, Matthias P.; Bouzat, Pierre; Pratali, Lorenza; Brugger, Hermann; Rauch, Simon
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 55:Issue 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01362-2020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is overwhelming healthcare systems worldwide. There is no evidence from randomised clinical trials that any potential therapy improves outcome in COVID-19 pneumonia, and therapeutic strategies have been based on a progressively increasing knowledge of the clinical presentation of the disease. Some clinicians have found the clinical features of COVID-19 pneumonia to be similar to high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) [1], and such theory has been amplified via social media. We question this relationship. COVID-19 pneumonia is a viral infection; high-altitude pulmonary oedema is a non-cardiogenic oedema. Some clinicians have found the clinical features similar. It is important to clarify such misconceptions to prevent erroneous treatment strategies https://bit.ly/2KOBi3F