Abstract
We tested the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 8 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The comparison of a nocturnal polygraphic study performed during spontaneous breathing with a study during CPAP administration performed the following night showed a significant reduction in stage 1 and increase in REM, the abolition of obstructive apneas and a significant increase in mean oxyhemoglobin saturation. Most patients reported marked relief of symptoms after the first night of treatment. However 3 patients, though confirming the improvement refused further CPAP. We conclude that CPAP is an effective measure for prevention of apneas in OSAS and that in compliant patients it may be regarded as a short-term measure when a permanent correction of the causes is planned, or as a long-term treatment when the latter is not feasible.
Sommario
Abbiamo provato gli effetti dell’applicazione di ventilazione a pressione positiva continua (CPAP) su otto pazienti affetti da sindrome dell’apnea ostruttiva nel sonno (OSAS). Il paragone tra uno studio poligrafico notturno eseguito durante respirazione spontanea, ed uno eseguito la notte successiva durante applicazione di CPAP ha mostrato significativa riduzione dello stadio 1 ed aumento del REM, la scomparsa delle apnee ostruttive ed un aumento significativo della saturazione ossiemoglobinica media. Inoltre la maggioranza dei pazienti ha notato una sensibile attenuazione della sintomatologia già dopo la prima notte di trattamento. Tre pazienti però pur confermando il miglioramento non hanno accettato di proseguire la terapia nelle notti successive. Si può concludere che la CPAP è un’efficace forma di prevenzione delle apnee nell’OSAS e che nei pazienti adattabili può essere considerata per una terapia di breve durata se può essere previsto un intervento correttivo della patologia di base o come una terapia di lunga durata negli altri casi.
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Bonsignore, G., Marrone, O., Bellia, V. et al. Continuous positive airway pressure improves the quality of sleep and oxygenation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Ital J Neuro Sci 8, 129–134 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02337586
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02337586