Forewords
This initiative—a carefully curated archive of high-altitude research articles—was inspired by Dr. Buddha Basnyat’s visionary leadership. A distinguished physician and researcher, the Chair of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit-Nepal (OUCRU-NP), Medical Director of HRA and Past President of UIAA-Med Com, ISMM, and Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal (MMSN). Dr. Basnyat’s guidance and trust have been invaluable in bringing this project to life, and for that, I extend my deepest gratitude.
Over several weeks, I meticulously compiled this archive through an extensive literature search across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase, as well as by reviewing references from key studies. This collection brings together research published since the mid-1970s, including landmark studies that have shaped our understanding of high-altitude medicine. It features work published after Peter Hackett’s seminal paper, The Incidence, Importance, and Prophylaxis of Acute Mountain Sickness, a cornerstone in altitude medicine.
To promote broader accessibility, wider dissemination, and greater research impact, we have taken the liberty of making all collected articles freely available. Many researchers and clinicians in this region face financial barriers to accessing academic literature, including the PDFs of these studies. By removing these obstacles, this archive ensures that vital research is available to those who need it most. While this compilation highlights significant studies, particularly those associated with the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), it is not exhaustive. Rather, it serves as a comprehensive yet accessible resource for those eager to explore the evolving landscape of high-altitude medicine.This archive will be regularly updated to remain relevant as new research emerges.
His initiative closely aligns with the Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal’s (MMSN) core mission—to engage young clinicians in evidence-based medicine and foster their ability to critically appraise published research. By immersing themselves in these studies, future medical professionals can develop the analytical skills and scientific curiosity necessary to contribute meaningfully to the field.
More than just a collection of research, this archive bridges past discoveries with future advancements. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, perseverance, and scientific inquiry. I hope this compilation inspires learning, sparks curiosity, and encourages further research in this vital field.
Happy reading!
Regards,
Dr. Suraj Shrestha, MBBS, DiMM
Dr. Buddha Basnyat, Nepal
Articles by Dr. Buddha Basnyat
Dr. Basnyat is the past president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine. He currently leads the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit- Nepal based at Patan Hospital and is the medical director of the Himalayan Rescue Association. He holds a Master’s degree in respiratory physiology from the University of Calgary, Canada, and did his Internal Medicine residency training at the Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, US. Having lectured hundreds of medical students at the Institute of Medicine, TU Teaching Hospital as a professor of physiology for over a decade, his research interest lies in working with young clinicians in the study of high altitude illness and undifferentiated febrile illness in the tropics.
Dr. Prativa Pandey, Nepal
Articles by Dr. Prativa Pandey
Dr. Prativa Pandey is the Medical Director of CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu and Pokhara – a center that deals mainly with travel-related problems including altitude illness. She is a Past President of the International Society of Travel Medicine and is currently serving her term as President of the Nepal Society of Travel Medicine. Dr. Pandey obtained her Medical degree from New Delhi, India, and did post-graduation in Internal Medicine from Boston, USA. She has worked as a volunteer doctor at the Pheriche aid post and remains a member of the medical advisory board of the Himalayan Rescue Association. She has more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and has authored several book chapters.
Dr. Ken Zafren, USA
Dr. Ken Zafren is the Associate Medical Director of the Himalayan Rescue Association (Nepal) and Vice President of the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MEDCOM). He is a retired member of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group. Dr. Zafren has also served as the Emergency Programs Medical Director for the State of Alaska. He serves as an emergency physician at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage and at Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California USA, where he is also a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine.