The usefulness of prophylactic use of acetazolamide in subjects with acute mountain sickness.

Background: The mechanisms of acetazolamide (ACZ) in the prophylaxis of acute mountain sickness (AMS) remain unclear. This study evaluated the changes in physiological variables of sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with earlier history of AMS who underwent prophylactic treatment of ACZ.

Methods: Nonacclimatized healthy subjects were transported using a bus from 555 m to 3150 m within 3 hours.