by TurquoiseRose
Acetazolamide, Nifedipine and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors: Rationale for Their Utilization as Adjunctive Countermeasures in the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In light of this, a countermeasure that has been shown to be effective in high altitude illness is Acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide has a myriad of effects on different organ systems [20]. It potently reduces hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction [21]. Improved minute ventilation and expired vital capacity has been shown in climbers taking Acetazolamide as well [22].
Other therapeutics that have been shown to be effective in the analogous condition of HAPE and that are directed towards decreased pulmonary pressure include Nifedipine and Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Table (Table2)2) [25,26].
Similar patterns of pulmonary disease between HAPE and COVID-19
HAPE: High altitude pulmonary edema; COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019; Pao2:FiO2 ratio: Arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen ratio; PaCO2 level: Partial pressure of carbon dioxide; Chest CT: Computed tomography of chest.
Other therapeutics that have been shown to be effective in the analogous condition of HAPE and that are directed towards decreased pulmonary pressure include Nifedipine and Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Table (Table2)2) [25,26].
| Parameter | HAPE | COVID-19 |
| Pao2:FiO2 ratio | Decreased | Decreased |
| Hypoxia | Present | Present |
| Tachypnea | Increased | Increased |
| PaCO2 level | Decreased | Decreased |
| Ground Glass Opacities on Chest CT | Present | Present |
| Patchy Infiltrates on Chest X-RAY | Present | Present |
| Fibrinogen levels/Fibrin formation | Increased | Increased |
| Alveolar compromise | Present | Present |
| Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Development in Severe Disease | Present | Present |
Disclaimer: This is a guest post and it doesn’t represent the views of IWB.