A novel echocardiographic parameter to identify individuals susceptible to acute mountain sickness

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) may cause life-threatening conditions. This study aimed to screen echocardiographic parameters at sea level (SL) to identify predictors of AMS development. Overall, 106 healthy men were recruited at SL and ascended to 4100 m within 7 days by bus. Basic characteristics, physiological data, and echocardiographic parameters were collected both at SL and 4100 m above SL. AMS was identified by 2018 Lake Louise Questionnaire Score. After acute high altitude exposure (AHAE), 33 subjects were diagnosed with AMS and exhibited lower lateral mitral valve tissue motion annular displacement (MV TMADlateral) at SL than AMS-free subjects (13.09 vs. 13.89 mm, p = 0.022). MV TMADlateral at SL was significantly correlated with AMS occurrence (OR = 0.717, 95% CI: 0.534–0.964, p = 0.028). The MV TMADlateral