Measures of OSA-specific intermittent hypoxaemia in obstructive sleep apnoea: how far is clinical routine?

Abstract

<title>Extract</title> Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the general population. It is defined by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, despite sustained inspiratory effort [1]. This leads to either complete cessation (apnoea) or partial reduction of airflow (hypopnoea), accompanied by fluctuations in intrathoracic pressure, intermittent hypoxaemia, arousals and, sometimes, hypercapnia [1, 2]. These disruptions contribute to endothelial dysfunction and an imbalance in autonomic regulation, which manifests itself in increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, altered heart rate variability and increases in blood pressure [2, 3].

Topics & Concepts