Pneumocephalus associated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure in a patient with sleep apnea syndrome

We report a new potentially dangerous complication of nasal continuous positive airway pressure applied for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A middle-aged woman had cerebrospinal fluid leak after using nasal CPAP, with generalized seizures and pneumocephalus. She did fine with conservative therapy for the CSF leak and discontinuation of nasal CPAP.     

持续气道内正压治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征

持续气道内正压（CPAP）通气是治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）的主要方法。OSAHS患者经CPAP治疗后嗜睡改善、血压下降、心脑血管病变的发生率降低，生活质量提高。CPAP治疗OSAHS的主要机制是气道内正压使上气道撑开^[1]，并且由于呼气时气道内正压使肺残气增高，也有助于维持上气道的畅通。     

经鼻持续气道正压通气治疗睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的依从性及其影响因素

目的　调查睡眠呼吸暂停综合征 (SAS)患者接受经鼻持续气道正压通气 (nCPAP)治疗的依从性、主观疗效和不良反应 ,了解影响依从性的相关因素。方法　对我院 1994年 2月～ 2 0 0 0年 8月间接受nCPAP治疗的 118例SAS患者进行有关依从性的问卷调查并分析其影响因素。结果　 118例SAS患者中 5 7%应用nCPAP依从性良好 ,影响nCPAP治疗依从性的因素主要有治疗前睡眠呼吸暂停 /低通气指数 (AHI) (P =0 0 35 )、治疗前夜间最低血氧饱和度 (LSaO2 ) (P =0 0 0 6 )、治疗前及后Epworth嗜睡评分 (ESS) (P值均 <0 0 0 1)及CPAP呼吸机的性能 (P <0 0 0 1)。结论　 5 7%的SAS患者能长期坚持应用nCPAP治疗 ,nCPAP可作为SAS长期治疗的重要手段 ;影响nCPAP治疗依从性的因素主要有治疗前AHI、治疗前夜间LSaO2 、治疗前及后ESS及CPAP呼吸机的性能。     

持续气道正压通气对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者睡眠结构的影响

目的探讨患者白天嗜睡等症状的原因,评估经鼻持续气道内正压通气(nCRAP)治疗对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者睡眠结构的影响。方法选择2001-2004年广东省佛山市第一人民医院呼吸科34例OSAS病人在睡眠多导生理记录仪监测下,进行nCPAP治疗,观察治疗前后呼吸紊乱指数、血氧饱和度和睡眠结构的变化。结果治疗后呼吸紊乱指数下降,最低血氧饱和度上升,睡眠结构明显改善。结论nCRAP能有效地改善OSAS病人的睡眠结构和呼吸紊乱。     

Obstructive sleep apnea in amyloidosis treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur in patients with a variety of upper airway anatomic abnormalities including macroglossia. We present a case of macroglossia secondary to amyloidosis causing obstructive sleep apnea that was successfully treated with low pressures of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (5 cm of water).     

Long-term compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy of obstructive sleep apnea

In an attempt to identify predictors of long-term compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), we reviewed the records of 125 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) referred to our center for nasal CPAP trials. Severity of sleep apnea, sleep staging, daytime hypersomnolence, effectiveness of nasal CPAP, previous palatal surgery, and adverse reactions were compared in compliant and noncompliant patients. Nineteen patients did not tolerate a nasal CPAP trial in the laboratory or refused home nasal CPAP therapy. Ten patients were unavailable for follow-up. Of the remaining 96 patients, 23 (24 percent) had discontinued therapy, while 73 (76 percent) were still using nasal CPAP at 14.5 +/- 10.7 months (mean +/- SD). There were no statistically significant differences between the compliant and noncompliant patients in baseline apnea plus hypopnea index (AHI), baseline sleep staging, AHI while receiving nasal CPAP, sleep staging while receiving nasal CPAP, or frequency of adverse reactions during therapy. Severe daytime sleepiness was present in 65 of the 73 compliant patients and in 12 of the 23 noncompliant patients (p less than 0.05). Ten of 43 in the compliant group had previous palatal surgery compared with ten of 23 noncompliant patients (p less than 0.05). Our data confirm earlier observations in smaller samples that compliant and noncompliant patients have equally severe sleep apnea and good initial responses to nasal CPAP. Long-term compliance with nasal CPAP may be associated with the severity of daytime hypersomnolence on presentation. Previous palatal surgery was more frequent in patients who did not tolerate long-term nasal CPAP therapy.     

Influence of nasal resistance on initial acceptance of continuous positive airway pressure in treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered as the standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but some patients with OSAS are unable to accept CPAP due to nasal obstruction and poor nasal airflow. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the influence of nasal resistance before beginning CPAP treatment on the initial acceptance of CPAP in OSAS patients. METHODS: The study subjects comprised 77 patients (74 males, 3 females) with primary OSAS, all of whom received CPAP treatment with nasal masks. Before trials, all subjects underwent overnight polysomnography, and nasal resistance was measured with active anterior rhinomanometry in the seated position on the first day of CPAP trial. RESULTS: The CPAP treatment was accepted by 56 patients after the initial trials with overnight polysomnography. Body mass index, the number of apnea/hypopnea episodes per hour (apnea/hypopnea index; AHI), and the number of episodes per hour with an oxygen desaturation of >3% (oxygen desaturation index) were significantly higher (p<0.01) and nasal resistance was lower (p=0.003) in patients who accepted CPAP than in those who did not. Logistic regression analysis, with patient age, body mass index, Epworth sleepiness scale score, AHI, oxygen desaturation index, and nasal resistance before CPAP treatment as explanatory variables, showed that nasal resistance (OR+0.1 Pa/cm3/s: 1.48; p=0.002) and AHI (OR+1 event/h: 0.93; p=0.003) were significant factors for CPAP non-acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal resistance before the beginning of CPAP treatment has a significant effect on the acceptance of CPAP in OSAS patients, and hence, could be a predictive parameter for the initial acceptance of CPAP.     

经鼻无创正压通气治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征血栓前状态效果评价

目的评价经鼻无创正压通气(nCPAP)对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)血栓前状态(PTS)的治疗效果。方法收集北京世纪坛医院2003年9月至2005年9月确诊的OSAS患者30例及同期健康对照者30名,血样采取均在经过前一夜睡眠监测及睡眠监测并nCPAP治疗后(OSAS组)仰卧位时立即进行。结果OSAS组与健康对照组比较,OSAS患者血液中血小板α颗粒膜蛋白-140(GMP-140)升高;部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)、抗凝血酶Ⅲ复合物(AT-Ⅲ)以及血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物(t-PA)降低,血浆组织型纤溶酶原抑制物(PAI)升高,与健康对照组比较各个指标在两组之间的差异均有统计学意义。nCPAP治疗后OSAS组呼吸紊乱指数由(63.21±23.23)/h降至(0.56±0.84)/h,夜间最低血氧饱和度由0.68±0.07上升至0.90±0.02,GMP-140和PAI分别降至(17.07±7.97)%、(95.83±5.91)%,AT-Ⅲ和t-PA分别升高至(95.20±6.67)%、(5.45±1.61)μg/L。结论OSAS患者存在PTS,nCPAP治疗可部分或全部逆转PTS,减少与OSAS相关的心脑血管栓塞性疾病的发生。     

连续气道正压通气对男性阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者自主神经调制的影响

目的 探讨连续气道正压通气(CPAP)对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者自主神经调制的影响.方法 选择OSAHS患者60例和对照组25例,对所有受试者进行多导睡眠图及动态心电图监测,采用时域分析法分析患者心率变异性以评价自主神经调制功能.对OSAHS患者使用CPAP治疗3个月后再次评估自主神经调制功能.结果 与对照组相比,OSAHS组自主神经调制功能指标正常RR间期标准差(SDNN)、RR间期差值均方根(rMSSD)、每5分钟节段平均正常RR间期标准差(SDANN)和高频功率(HF)均低于对照组,且与呼吸紊乱指数呈负相关;低频功率(LF)和低频与高频之比(LF/HF)高于对照组,与呼吸紊乱指数呈正相关.LF/HF值与呼吸紊乱指数和最低血氧饱和度呈线性回归关系.结论 OSAHS患者存在自主神经调制功能损害,与呼吸紊乱指数和低氧有关;经CPAP治疗后,OSAHS患者自主神经调制功能损害明显改善,且对CPAP耐受良好.     

Continuous positive airway pressure treatment rapidly improves insulin sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is typically associated with conditions known to increase insulin resistance as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. We investigated whether obstructive sleep apnea itself is an independent risk factor for increased insulin resistance and whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment improves insulin sensitivity. Forty patients (apnea-hypopnea index > 20) were treated with CPAP. Before, 2 days after, and after 3 months of effective CPAP treatment, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies were performed. Insulin sensitivity significantly increased after 2 days (5.75 +/- 4.20 baseline versus 6.79 +/- 4.91 micromol/kg.min; p = 0.003) and remained stable after 3 months of treatment. The improvement in insulin sensitivity after 2 days was much greater in patients with a body mass index less than 30 kg/m2 than in more obese patients. The improved insulin sensitivity after 2 nights of treatment may reflect a decreasing sympathetic activity, indicating that sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for increased insulin resistance. The effect of CPAP on insulin sensitivity is smaller in obese patients than in nonobese patients, suggesting that in obese individuals insulin sensitivity is mainly determined by obesity and, to a smaller extent, by sleep apnea.     

连续气道正压通气对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者血管内皮功能的影响

目的检测阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）患者血清一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素-1（ET-1）、血管性血友病因子（vWF）及肱动脉内径变化;评估连续气道正压通气（CPAP）对此类患者血管内皮功能的影响。方法选择OSAHS患者55例和健康对照组55例,分别测定所有受试者血清NO、ET-1、vWF水平,同时使用多普勒彩超测定肱动脉内径变化。对OSAHS患者使用CPAP治疗3月后再次测定以上指标。结果治疗前OSAHS患者血清NO水平和肱动脉内径变化率明显低于对照组（P均〈0．01）;血清ET-1和vWF水平明显高于对照组（P均〈0．01）。NO水平和肱动脉内径变化率与呼吸紊乱指数呈显著负相关（r分别为-0．621,-0．581,P〈0．01）,与最低血氧饱和度正相关（r分别为0．516,0．613,P〈0．01）;ET-1和vWF水平与呼吸紊乱指数呈正相关（r分别为0．534,0．559,P均〈0．01）,与最低血氧饱和度均呈负相关（r分别为-0．479,-0．637,P均〈0．01）。肱动脉内径变化率与NO呈正相关,与ET-1和vWF水平呈负相关（r分别为0．681,-0．541和-0．513,P均〈0．01）。结论OSAHS患者早期已存在血管内皮功能损害,与呼吸紊乱指数和低氧相关;CPAP能够改善患者血管内皮功能。     

经鼻持续正压通气治疗夜间心绞痛合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征

目的 探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）和夜间心绞痛的关系以及经鼻持续正压通气治疗能否改善合并有OSAHS患者夜间心绞痛发作。方法 采用多导睡眠监测系统对46例夜间心绞痛患者进行整夜监测，对合并OSAHS的患者应用经鼻持续正压通气治疗，将患者治疗前后多导睡眠监测参数进行对照研究。结果 夜间心绞痛合并OSAHS的患者经持续正压通气治疗多导睡眠参数明显改善，治疗前后对比差异有显著性，心绞痛症状明显改善。结论 OSAHS和夜间心绞痛有相关性，OSAHS是夜间心绞痛发作的诱因。经鼻持续正压通气治疗可改善合并有0SAHS患者夜间心绞痛发作。     

Arbitrary-pressure continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Current resources are inadequate to meet the demand for polysomnography, resulting in long waiting lists. This study aimed to evaluate the role of arbitrary-pressure continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a method to reduce delays in commencing treatment. The study was of an open, randomized, parallel design. Ninety-one subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were randomized to either arbitrary-pressure CPAP based on body mass index before treatment polysomnography or to CPAP at settings determined by polysomnography. Both interventions resulted in similar improvements in clinical outcomes as determined by Epworth Sleepiness Score, Short Form-36 Quality of Life questionnaire, objective compliance, and subjective attitudes to treatment. There was higher sleep efficiency at treatment polysomnography in the group commenced at arbitrary pressure (81.8 +/- 10.1% [mean +/- SD] compared with 72.2 +/- 18.0%, p = 0.01). Subjects unable to tolerate CPAP were identified by the use of arbitrary pressure, leading to a reduction in the proportion of "wasted" treatment polysomnograms (studies performed in subjects not persisting with treatment) relative to commencing therapy after treatment polysomnography (3 of 39 compared with 12 of 35, p = 0.01). This approach to initiating treatment with CPAP appears feasible when there are long waiting lists for polysomnography.     

Effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in uncontrolled nocturnal asthmatic patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The mechanisms of nocturnal asthma are intimately related to circadian rhythms, which influence inflammatory cells and mediators, hormone levels and cholinergic tone. Nocturnal airway narrowing in asthma is sometimes associated with sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the association of nocturnal asthma and OSAS, and investigate the influence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to improve nighttime symptoms in asthmatic patients with OSAS. Forty-three asthmatic patients who had nocturnal symptoms in spite of the optimal medical treatment according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines and associated with snoring were studied. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), asthma nighttime symptom scores, and polysomnography were performed on all patients. We treated the patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 15 (moderate-severe OSAS) (n=16) with CPAP during 2 months. After 2 months, PFT, asthma nighttime symptom scores were reperformed. There was no significant difference in PFT values before and after CPAP treatment in OSAS patients. Asthma nighttime symptom scores were improved significantly (P<0.05) after CPAP treatment. In conclusion, in some patients with nocturnal asthma, OSAS may be responsible disease for nocturnal symptoms. In this condition, CPAP improves nocturnal symptoms without amelioration in PFT abnormalities.