A case of HAPE on K2 and literature review.

HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) is a serious and fatal disease in mountains. Early diagnosis and immediate descent are important for successful treatment. One of the authors (GS), who was healthy and a well trained climber, participated in the expedition to K2 (8611 m) in 2006 and developed HAPE. Under the severe environmental condition, it was difficult to evaluate his condition in its early stage. The earliest symptoms were nonspecific for HAPE as reported in many papers. Neither had he suffered from HAPE on the previous expeditions. These facts probably delayed the diagnosis in spite of its typical onset. This is a rare case report by a medical doctor who suffered from HAPE. The present case may remind the climbers of the difficulties in diagnosing HAPE on a mountain.