Platelet Survival and Sequestration in the Lung at Altitude

It is clear from the diving literature that platelet function and survival are altered by decompression from depth (8). These changes are partially preventable with platelet suppressant drugs (9). Gray et al. (2) suggested that similar platelet changes may occur on decompression from sea level to altitude and that these may be implicated in the development of high altitude pulmonary edema.