High-altitude cerebral edema

Mazzuero G, Mazzuero A, Pascariello A. Severe acute mountain sickness and suspected high altitude cerebral edema related to nitroglycerin use. High Alt Med Biol 2008 9 241-3. 

Xu F, Severinghaus JW. Rat brain VEGF expression in alveolar bypoxia possible role in high-altitude cerebral edema. J Appl Physiol 1998 85(l) 53-57. 

In contrast to ischemia-reperfusion, relatively few studies examined the effect of hypoxia on microvas-cular function, despite clinical evidence of a microvascular inflammatory response in this setting. For example, systemic hypoxia occurs in people at high altitudes and may result in high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Although the underlying cause of this serious condition is not yet known, microcirculatory alterations were proposed to play a major role. For example, increased leukocyte-endothelial interactions are frequently associated with the pathological features of environmental hypoxia." " ... 

A disorder occurring in individuals exposed to high altitudes (about 3048 m [10,000 ft]) for relatively long periods (24 hours or more). It presents as malaise, headache, and vomiting attributed to cerebral and pulmonary edema. It is probably related to both hypoxia and decreased atmospheric pressure. It may be prevented by proper acclimatization. Acute Radiation Syndrome... 

---