Mechanisms, cardiometabolic consequences and treatment strategies for high-altitude excessive ertythrocytosis and chronic mountain sickness in the Andes

Grantholders

  • Dr Francisco Villafuerte

    Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Project summary

Francisco is a physiologist with a particular interest in chronic mountain sickness (CMS), a highly-prevalent syndrome in Andean and other high-altitude populations. His research is focused on the pathophysiological mechanisms of excessive erythrocytosis (EE), the hallmark of CMS. Evidence indicates that in addition to frequent complications due to blood hyperviscosity, EE might be also associated with cardiometabolic disorders leading to an important increase in cardiovascular risk. Francisco aims to investigate the mechanisms and cardiometabolic consequences of EE, and explore novel treatment strategies in order to provide information on adequate healthcare and therapeutic approaches for CMS patients.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Intermediate Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.