We describe a new device for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is similar to nasal CPAP, but less cumbersome. The device consists of a 7 mm diameter flexible tube terminating at one end in nasal prongs covered with foam cylinders. The foam cylinders are compressed, inserted into the nostrils and released, forming a tight seal. The other end of the catheter is attached to a compressor...

Patients with respiratory muscle weakness show nocturnal hypoventilation, with oxygen desaturation particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but evidence in individuals with isolated bilateral diaphragmatic paresis (BDP) is conflicting. The effect of sleep on relative activity of the different respiratory muscles of such patients and, consequently, the precise mechanisms causing desat...

OBJECTIVES To determine if heart rate (HR) is associated with desaturation indexes as HR is associated with arrhythmia and sudden death. STUDY DESIGN A community based cross-sectional study of 1214 Alaskan Inuit. METHODS Data of FA concentrations from plasma and red blood cell membranes from those ≥35 years of age (n = 819) were compared to basal HR at the time of examination. Multiple line...

ABSTRACT MATERIAL AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated 199 individuals with high pre-test clinical suspicion of OSAS. Of these, 123 patients were morbidly obese (Group A) and 76 were non-obese (Group B). We performed six channel cardio-respiratory polygraphy and assessed the correlation between the Desaturation Index (DI) and the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) for both groups. RESULTS In gro...

INTRODUCTION Diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) depends on nocturnal polysomnography (nPSG), but waiting time for the test is long. Although, performing PSG in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) at daytime (dPSG) was questioned, role and methods are not clear. The aim of the study was to assess the role of dPSG in the diagnosis of SAS, and the correlation between nPSG and dPS...

Background: Obesity, abdominal surgery, and intrathecal opioids are all factors associated with a risk for respiratory compromise. The aim of this explorative trial was to study the apnoea/hypopnea index 1st postoperative night in obese mothers having had caesarean section (CS) in spinal anaesthesia with a combination of bupivacaine/morphine and fentanyl. Methods: Consecutive obese (BMI >30 kg/...

OBJECTIVES To measure the incidence of cerebral desaturation during high-risk cardiac surgery and to evaluate strategies to reverse cerebral desaturation. DESIGN Prospective observational study followed by a randomized controlled study with 1 intervention group and 1 control group. SETTING Tertiary care center specialized in cardiac surgery. PARTICIPANTS All patients were scheduled for hi...

BACKGROUND It remains unknown whether desaturation profiles during daily living are associated with prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Point measurements of resting oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) are not sufficient for assessment of desaturation during activities of daily living. A small number of s...

STUDY OBJECTIVES Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. We initiated a protocol designed to screen patients preoperatively and monitor them postoperatively. The goal was to identify patients who were at risk for oxygen desaturation after discharge from the postanesthesia recovery room (PACU). METHODS Patients without previously ...