Today's session opened with a "live" NBC News interview of E3
team members Dr. Christian Macedonia, Dr. Ken Kamler, and Dr.
Jennifer Grin. With Yale medical student Jennifer Kreshak serving
as the subject, Dr. Grin demonstrated how she uses the digital
ophthalmoscope to view retinal images. Dr. Macedonia followed
with an explanation of ultrasound technology and transmitted live
images of the common carotid artery of 32-year-old Babu Chiri,
the Sherpa who made history 2 days ago by spending 21 hours (alone
and overnight) on Everest's summit without supplemental oxygen.
Dr. Macedonia expressed amazement at the climber's physiology
in addition to his mountaineering feat. Finally, Dr. Kamler pointed
out that the E3 project displayed the ability to send "real-time"
images back to doctors in the United States, and that the expedition
is doing this as a matter of routine. By doing so, he believes
telemedicine offers the means to deliver medical care anywhere
in the world.
After NBC signed off, morning rounds resumed between the E3 medical
team and the Yale site. Dr. Macedonia reported that the clinic
continues to receive and treat patients with routine complaints
and fortunately there were no further emergencies. Dr. James Brink,
Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Yale's Department of Diagnostic
Radiology, reviewed ultrasound images of E3 team members with
Dr. Macedonia. Of interest was the discovery of a potential arterial-venous
fistula in the arm of one of the climbers. Dr. Grin reported that
follow-up retinal imaging of the team member who had complained
of a decrease in color vision showed no change. In addition to
providing clinical care, the E3 team continues to conduct research.
Dr. Macedonia offered his initial impressions of increased hematocrit
and exaggerated cardiac output and heart rate responses to exercise
in the hypoxic environment. Data that the team has collected at
base camp, and well as during their ascent and descent, will be
analyzed in detail following their return to Yale.
The many complimentary devices (Propaq for oxygen satuation,
CardioDynamics for non-invasive cardiac output, Cytometrics for
direct micro-circulation visualization, BioSound Dopple ultrasound
for carotid blood flow and i-STAT for blood chemistries and gasses)
provide a rather comprehensive real-time, simultaneous look many
parameters of cardiac function. It is also anticipated that the
PED vital signs monitoring device will be the subject of continued
testing during the expedition.
Last night's the Olympus - E3 Educational Program was regarded
as having been as successful as its premier on Monday evening.
Drs. Macedonia, Kamler, and Grin, Expedition Leader Scott Hamilton,
Climbing Leader Jim Williams, and Cognitive Function Researcher
Grant Goldin enjoyed responding to students' questions that were
notable for their high quality and originality. During the broadcast
the snow began to fall on Mt. Everest as this delightful session
with the students concluded with a native musical performance
by the Sherpa team members. With the eerie sounds of a flute,
accompanied by the clapping of hands and stomping of feet on the
snow covered ground, the less-than-tuneful Sherpas chanted an
ancient serenade to the Goddess of the Mountain. A fitting tribute
to a successful expedition.
Today marks the last session from the Everest Base Camp site
as the E3 team will break camp tomorrow. Morning rounds will be
held for the final time from the Italian High Altitude Research
Center in Lobuche on Friday. We wish them a safe start to their
journey home.
Today's participants: Dr. Peter Angood (moderating), Dr. James
Brink, Brett Harnett, Doris Farquhar, Gary Stilwell, Dmitry Albert,
and Norman Stewart.
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