This special four part series explores the fascinating story of Xtreme Everest – the ground-breaking, research programme that has pursued a novel approach to scientific exploration. Over the last decade, this innovative team has performed large scale studies at high altitude to mimic some of the effects of critical illness. The objective is for their findings to be brought "from the mountainside to the bedside" so that the care for our sickest patients may be improved.

In this podcast, Chris Imray, describes the physiological changes within the brain when exposed to the hypoxic conditions of high altitude and how our understanding of this may change the management of patients.

Presented by Joff Lacey with his guest Chris Imray, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and a Professor at Warwick Medical School. Chris is a passionate climber and has long been involved in altitude research. He was the deputy climbing leader for the 2007 Xtreme Everest expedition and was part of the summit team.