High altitude pulmonary edema post-tooth extraction

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life threatening condition occurring 2-4 days after entry in areas with heights above 8000 ft, characterised by abnormal pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia. Pre-existing respiratory infection is believed to increase inflammatory mediators which prime the pulmonary endothelium leading to HAPE. Dental caries as well as tooth extraction are known to increase levels of inflammatory mediators. The effect of the inflammatory response to dental caries and tooth extraction on risk towards HAPE still needs to be assessed. In the present case the patient also had other known risk factors like cold exposure and upper respiratory tract infection. Here we are reporting a rare case of HAPE after tooth extraction.