ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Clinical and Translational Physiology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1622092
Efficacy of Erythrocyte Apheresis in the Management of Severe High-Altitude Deacclimatization Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Provisionally accepted
- General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theater, Chengdu, China
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Background: High-altitude deacclimatization syndrome (HADAS, commonly known as Oxygen toxicity) manifests through multi-organ system dysfunction and significantly deteriorates the quality of life. Unfortunately, there are no effective methods for serious HADAS (SHADAS) patients. To address this urgent public health challenge, we explored the therapeutic potential of erythrocyte apheresis (EA)-a technique previously used in HAPC treatment, and evaluated its efficacy in SHADAS patients.Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical data of 71 SHADAS patients undergoing EA between October 2016 and September 2024 in our hematology department.Complete blood count parameters were serially measured before and after EA. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8.02 software.The study cohort exhibited significant reductions in hemoglobin (HGB) levels after initial EA: HGB decreased from 224.75 ± 12.76 g/L to 172.92 ± 22.60 g/L (males, P < 0.001) and from 205.13 ± 12.41 g/L to 164.75 ± 19.26 g/L (females, P < 0.001). Notably, 18 patients required repeat EA due to suboptimal response, and these patients had higher HGB baseline levels. (HGB 238.47 ± 8.76 vs. 219.67 ± 9.98 g/L). All subjects demonstrated marked symptomatic improvement in SHADAS manifestations including headache, somnolence, and fatigue after EA.Based on these findings, we developed a strategy for the formulation of EA parameter protocols.Although it remains challenging to prevent SHADAS in individuals transitioning to lower altitude regions, our study demonstrated that EA could rapidly reduce HGB and alleviate associated symptoms. Moreover, we have established the parameters of EA in the treatment of SHADAS.
Keywords: High altitude polycythemia, Erythrocyte apheresis, High altitude deacclimatization syndrome, Oxygen toxicity, High altitude regions
Received: 02 May 2025; Accepted: 29 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Huang, Su, Yao, Zhang, Yang, Wang, Su and Yi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Hai Yi, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theater, Chengdu, China
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