Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Effectively Alleviates Arrhythmias in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea:Possible Relationship with Counteracting Oxidative Stress

This work is aimed at exploring the clinical efficacy of continuous positive airway pressuie(CPAP)in treatment of patients with arrhythmias combined with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).Through evaluating serum native thiol,malonaldehyde(MDA)and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NADPH oxidase)in these patients and describing the effects on oxidative parameters of CPAP therapy for 3 months,we confirmed the impact of oxidative stress on arrhythmias.A total of 64 patients with OSA combined with arrhythmias were collected from April 2014 to April 2017 with full clinical information.Patients were divided into two groups(paired experiment design):32 patients in group A(control group),who received unchanged anti-arrhythmia treatment and 32 patients in group B,who were subjected to unchanged pharmacological anti-arrhythmia therapy combined with CPAP.OSA related parameters were compared between the two groups after 3-month therapy.And the levels of parameters of oxidative stress in patients were measured before and after CPAP therapy.After 3 months of CPAP therapy,compared with the control group,the percentage of sage N3(NREM 3)and stage R(REM)in total sleep time was significantly increased,while apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS)score were evidently decreased.Meanwhile,the lowest oxygen saturation(LSpCh)was also elevated after CPAP treatment for 3 months.The CPAP therapy significantly prevented the occurrence of arrhythmias(P<0.05).Both the MDA level and NADPH oxidase levels were significantly lower in the group B than in the group A(P<0.05).But serum native thiol was improved by CPAP treatment(P<0.05).In conclusion,proper use of CPAP therapy provides significant benefits for the treatment of arrhythmia in patients with OSA.

Bi-level Nasal Positive Airway Pressure(BiPAP)versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure(CPAP)for Preterm Infants with Birth Weight Less Than 1500g and Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following INSURE Treatment:A Two-center Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP)versus continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)in preterm infants with birth weight less than 1500 g and respiratory distress syndrome(RDS)following intubation-surfactant-extubation(INSURE)treatment.A two-center randomized control trial was performed.The primary outcome was the reintubation rate of infants within 72 h of age after INSURE.Secondary outcomes included bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD),necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC),retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)and incidences of adverse events.Lung function at one year of corrected age was also compared between the two groups.There were 140 cases in the CPAP group and 144 in the BiPAP group.After INSURE,the reintubation rates of infants within 72 h of age were 15%and 11.1%in the CPAP group and the BiPAP group,respectively(P>0.05).Neonates in the BiPAP group was on positive airway pressure(PAP)therapy three days less than in the CPAP group(12.6 d and 15.3 d,respectively,P<0.05),and on oxygen six days less than in the CPAP group(20.6 d and 26.9 d,respectively,P<0.05).Other outcomes such as BPD,NEC,ROP and feeding intolerance were not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no difference in lung function at one year of age between the two groups(P>0.05).In conclusion,after INSURE,the reintubation rate of infants within 72 h of age was comparable between the BiPAP group and the CPAP group.BiPAP was superior to CPAP in terms of shorter durations(days)on PAP support and oxygen supplementation.There were no differences in the incidences of BPD and ROP,and lung function at one year of age between the two ventilation methods.

Sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure for erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea： a comparat-ive study of their efficacy and safety and the patient＇s satisfaction with treatment

Aim： To assess the efficacy of sildenafil and continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） in the treatment of concurrent erectile dysfunction （ED） with obstructive sleep apnea （OSA）, and to gauge the level of treatment satisfaction in patients and their partners. Methods： Forty men were treated for 12 weeks with sildenafil 100 mg （20 men） or CPAP during nighttime sleep （20 men）. Treatment efficacy was assessed by the rate of successful intercourse attempts, and satisfaction with treatment was assessed by patients＇ and partners＇ answers to question 1 of the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction. Results： Under sildenafil, 128 of 249 （51.4%） intercourse attempts were successful; under CPAP, 51 of 193 （26.9%） attempts were successful （^cp 〈 0.001）. Erectile function was improved in both groups. After sildenafil and CPAP treatment, the mean International Index for Erectile Function domain scores were 14.3 and 10.8, respectively （^bp = 0.025）, compared to 7.8 and 7 at baseline, respectively. CPAP and sildenafil were well tolerated. Sporadic episodes of nasal dryness under CPAP and transient headache and flushing under sildenafil were not significant. Fifty percent of patients treated with sildenafil and 25% with CPAP were satisfied with the treatment, and their partners were equally satisfied. The satisfaction scores for both patients and partners under sildenafil were superior to those under CPAP （^cP 〈 0.002）. Conclusion： Both sildenafil 100 mg and CPAP, used separately, had positive therapeutic impact but sildenafil was superior. Patients and their partners were more satisfied with sildenafil for the treatment of ED. However, because of the high proportion of dissatisfied men and partners, new therapeutic agents or a combination of the two methods must be studied further.

Impact of continuous positive airway pressure therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)has been suggested as an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)is the first-line therapy for OSA.AIM To clarify the efficacy of effective CPAP therapy on NAFLD of OSA patients by serum markers and transient elastography(TE)using FibroScan®(Echosens,Paris,France).METHODS We prospectively enrolled 123 consecutive patients with OSA who met the indications for CPAP.Liver fibrosis and steatosis were assessed using TE.Before and after 6 mo of CPAP therapy,serum markers and TE were assessed for all patients.The mean usage rate of CPAP therapy for 6 mo was arbitrarily calculated in each patient and expressed as“mean compliance index”(m-CI).RESULTS In 50 OSA patients with NAFLD,both aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels were significantly decreased after 6 mo of CPAP therapy.Univariate analysis showed that decreased body weight(BW),decreased body mass index(BMI),decreased AST level,decreased hemoglobin A1c,and high m-CI were significantly related with improved ALT level.In multivariate regression model adjusted for quantities of BW change during 6 mo of CPAP therapy,high m-CI tended to improve ALT level(P=0.051).All 17 OSA patients with NAFLD,high m-CI and no BMI changes showed significant improvements in AST and ALT levels.Meanwhile,no significant changes in TE data or serum fibrosis markers were seen.CONCLUSION Some NAFLD could be associated with chronic intermittent hypoxia due to OSA independent of BW changes.In those cases,adequate reoxygenation from effective CPAP therapy may improve NAFLD.

Clinical efficacy of mask continuous positive airway pressure mechanical ventilation in children with severe pneumonia

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of the mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mechanical ventilation in children with severe pneumonia. Methods: A total of 100 cases of children with severe pneumonia were randomly divided into two groups, study group with 50 children and control group with 50 children. These 100 children were given comprehensive treatment measures: treatment of anti-infection, anti-respiratory failure, anti-heart failure (if necessary), relieving cough and reducing sputum, aerosol inhalation, limited fluid volume, nutrition support etc. Children in the study group were added mask continuous positive airway pressure mechanical ventilation (CPAP). Children in the control group were added ordinary mask oxygen inhalation. Investigated and checked the treatment effect in these two groups. Results: After treatment, SaO2, PaO2 in both two groups were showed significantly higher than before the treatment. PaO2 of the study group is obviously higher than the control group. The oxygen inhalation time of the study group was obviously lesser than the control group. The total effective rate of the study group was significantly higher than the control group which was 96.0% vs 66.0%. Conclusion: The mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mechanical ventilation can significantly improve the related symptoms and blood gas status of the children with severe pneumonia, shorten the oxygen inhalation time and had remarkable effect.

Changes in Brachial and Central Blood Pressure after Short Term Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Impaired Renal Function

Background: Previous studies of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have shown conflicting results on the effect on blood pressure (BP), and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been included in these studies. As OSA is a frequent comorbidity in patients with CKD, it is of relevance to evaluate the effect of CPAP treatment on BP in this population. Aim: In this prospective follow-up study, we measured the effect of short term CPAP treatment of moderate-to-severe OSA on brachial and central BP, plasma level of syndecan-1 and vasoactive hormones, renal handling of sodium, subjective sleepiness, and quality of life in patients with impaired renal function. Methods: From December 2015 until March 2017, 25 patients were invited to participate in the study at the University Clinic in Nephrology and Hypertension, Aarhus University and Holstebro Hospital. At baseline and at follow-up after three to four months of CPAP treatment, we performed 24 h brachial and central ambulatory BP measurement, blood sampling measurements of plasma concentrations of syndecan-1, renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, vasopressin, creatinine, haemoglobin A1c, and cholesterol, cardio respiratory monitoring, 24 h urine collection for measurement of urinary excretion of albumin, aquaporin-2, and epithelial sodium channel, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and SF-36 (quality of life). Results: At follow-up, the 17 included patients with mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate 66 mL/min/1.73 m2 had a significant decrease in systolic office-, 24 h- and daytime-BP (13, 7, and 8 mmHg, respectively, p Conclusion: Short-term CPAP treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and reduced renal function decreased 24 h- and daytime-BP significantly and reduced urinary albumin excretion. Our results underline the importance of treatment of OSA in hypertensive patients with impaired renal function.

Continuous positive airway pressure to improve insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS)is a relatively common disorder in the adult population.It is associated with alterations in glucose metabolism and increases the risk for diabetes mellitus.Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)is the treatment of choice for OSAS.It may also have a favorable effect on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism,although relevant data is conflicting.Additional research is still needed to fully establish the effect of CPAP on glucose homeostasis.It should ascertain which patients may benefit most and how long treatment takes to induce favorable changes.Finally,patient compliance is being appreciated as a major factor influencing therapeutic outcomes,and this needs to be further examined.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on glucose control

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and diabetes mellitus are both highly prevalent disorders.There has been a recent recognition of an association between insulin resistance and sleep apnea.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has emerged as an effective therapy for treatment of OSA and has been shown to positively influence numerous pathophysiological factors that con-tribute to cardiovascular risk.There is emerging data that explores the influence of CPAP therapy,insulin sensitivity and glycemic control.In the current review,we examine this literature critically and formulate a synopsis that summarizes the current knowledge in this field.

The Value of Positive Pressure Ventilations for Clients in Acute Respiratory Distress as a Result of Cardiac and Pulmonary Issues

Objective: Research was conducted to examine benefits to using non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) early in the treatment of respiratory distress caused by pulmonary edema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Limitations to successful NIV and CPAP therapy were evaluated to determine how prolonged initiation of treatment may lead to hypoxemia (decreased oxygen in the blood) and hypercapnia (increased carbon dioxide in the blood) resulting in poor outcomes. Method: Reviews of literature from nursing and allied health data bases (CINAHL and ProQuest) with terms pulmonary edema, positive pressure device and non-invasive ventilation from 2010 to 2014 were used. Studies were conducted in the hospital and prehospital settings. Results: The literature search located 7 articles from CINAHL and 25 articles from ProQuest. A total of 6 of these articles were analyzed. Additional sources of data were obtained from Ignatavicius and Workman (2013) Medical-Surgical Nursing Patient-Centered Collaborative Care 7th edition and American Journal of Nursing (02/2013) Volume 113: 2. Conclusion: All of the articles concluded that early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure ventilations in the short-term was beneficial;however, late initiation of therapy required additional interventions. The studies indicated that early use of positive airway pressure in acute respiratory distress improved breath rate, heart rate and blood pressure. The use of positive airway pressure for respiratory distress may decrease the need for endotracheal intubation.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation in acute pediatric respiratory failure

AIM To characterize the clinical course and outcomes of nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation(NIMV) use in acute pediatric respiratory failure.METHODS We identified all patients treated with NIMV in the pediatric intensive care unit(PICU) or inpatient general pediatrics between January 2013 and December 2015 at two academic centers.Patients who utilized NIMV with other modes of noninvasive ventilation during the same admission were included.Data included demographics,vital signs on admission and prior to initiation of NIMV,pediatric risk of mortality Ⅲ(PRIsM-Ⅲ) scores,complications,respiratory support characteristics,PICU and hospital length of stays,duration of respiratory support,and complications.Patients who did not require escalation to mechanical ventilation were defined as NIMV responders;those who required escalation to mechanical ventilation(MV) were defined as NIMV nonresponders.NIMV responders were compared to NIMV non-responders.RESULTS Forty-two patients met study criteria.six(14%) failed treatment and required MV.The majority of the patients(74%) had a primary diagnosis of bronchiolitis.The median age of these 42 patients was 4 mo(range 0.5-28.1 mo,IQR 7,P = 0.69).No significant difference was measured in other baseline demographics and vitals on initiation of NIMV;these included age,temperature,respiratory rate,O2 saturation,heart rate,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and PRIsM-Ⅲ scores.The duration of NIMV was shorter in the NIMV nonresponder vs NIMV responder group(6.5 h vs 65 h,P < 0.0005).Otherwise,NIMV failure was not associated with significant differences in PICU length of stay(LOs),hospital LOs,or total duration of respiratory support.No patients had aspiration pneumonia,pneumothorax,or skin breakdown.CONCLUSION Most of our patients responded to NIMV.NIMV failure is not associated with differences in hospital LOs,PICU LOs,or duration of respiratory support.

Recent advances in managing obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is a rapidly increasing global concern.If it remains untreated,it can lead to cardiovascular,metabolic,and psychiatric complications and may result in premature death.The efficient and effective management of OSA can have a beneficial effect and help reduce the financial burden on the health sector.There has been constant development in OSA management,and numerous options are available.The mainstay of therapy is still the conventional measures and behavioral modifications.However,in cases of failure of these modalities,surgical therapy is the only option.Numerous studies have shown that proper management of OSA has beneficial effects with good long-term outcomes.

Noninvasive Ventilation Interfaces in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Insufficiency: A Critical Review

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an important therapeutic modality for the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF). In this review, we critically analyze randomized controlled trials on the most used NIV interfaces in the treatments of ARF. Methods: The searches were conducted in the Medline, Lilacs, PubMed, Cochrane, and Pedro databases from June to November 2021. The inclusion criteria were Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from 2016 to 2021 in Portuguese, Spanish, or English and involving adults (aged ≥ 18 years). The eligibility criteria for article selection were based on the PICO strategy: Population—Adults with ARF;Intervention—NIV Therapy;Comparison—Conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy, or NIV;Outcome—improvement in ARF. The search for articles and the implementation of the inclusion criteria were independently conducted by two researchers. Results: Seven scientific articles involving 574 adults with ARF due to various causes, such as chest trauma, decompensated heart failure, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and postoperative period, among others, were included. The interfaces cited in the studies included an oronasal mask, nasal mask, full-face mask, and helmet. In addition, some favorable outcomes related to NIV were reported in the studies, such as a reduction in the rate of orotracheal intubation and shorter length of stay in the ICU. Conclusions: The most cited interfaces in the treatment of ARF were the oronasal mask and the helmet.

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Glycemic Excursions and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-hypopnea Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

Background： For patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） and type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）, the night sleep interruption and intermittent hypoxia due to apnea or hypopnea may induce glycemic excursions and reduce insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） therapy in patients with OSAHS and T2DM. Methods： Continuous glucose monitoring system （CGMS） was used in 40 patients with T2DM and newly diagnosed OSAHS. The measurements were repeated after 30 days of CPAP treatment. Subsequently, insulin sensitivity and glycohemoglobin （HbAlc） were measured and compared to the pretreatment data. Results： After CPAP therapy, the CGMS indicators showed that the 24-h mean blood glucose （MBG） and the night time MBG were significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.03, respectively）. The mean ambulatory glucose excursions （MAGEs） and the mean of daily differences were also significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.002, respectively） compared to pretreatment levels. During the night, MAGE also significantly decreased （P = 0.049）. The differences between the highest and lowest levels of blood glucose over 24 h and during the night were significantly lower than prior to CPAP treatment （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.024, respectively）. The 24 h and night time durations of high blood glucose （〉7.8 mmol/L and 〉 11.1 mmol/L） decreased （P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.05, respectively） after the treatment. In addition, HbA 1 c levels were also lower than those before treatment （P 〈 0.05）, and the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance was also significantly lower than before CPAP treatment （P = 0.034）. Conclusions： CPAP therapy may have a beneficial effect on improving not only blood glucose but also upon insulin sensitivity in T2DM patients with OSAHS. This suggests that CPAP may be an effective treatment for T2DM in addition to intensive diabetes management.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on serum adiponectin level and mean arterial pressure in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Background Recent research suggested that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） might be independently associated with hypoadiponectinemia, which was linked to some complications of OSAS, such as hypertension, diabetes etc. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） treatment on changes of both serum adiponectin levels and mean arterial pressure and their possible links in male OSAS patients. Methods Twenty-three adult male patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS but without obesity, coronary heart disease and diabetes were recruited. Their blood samples were collected and morning mean arterial pressure （MAP） was measured before CPAP treatment and on day 3, 7, 14 of CPAP treatment respectively. The serum adiponectin concentration was tested with radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with the serum adiponectin level before CPAP treatment, no significant change was found in OSAS patients on day 3 and day 7 of CPAP treatment （P〉0.05）. It was not until day 14 of CPAP treatment did a significant elevation in serum adiponectin level occur （P〈0.01）. Meanwhile, the MAP showed no statistically significant difference among its levels before CPAP, on day 3 and day 7 of CPAP treatment （P〉0.05）. However, on day 14 of CPAP treatment, a significantly lower MAP than that obtained before treatment was observed （P〈0.05）. Conclusions CPAP treatment can gradually reverse hypoadiponectinemia and reduce MAP in OSAS patients. Hypoadiponectinemia might be involved in the pathogenesis of OSAS-mediated hypertension.

Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Cognitive Deficits in Middle-aged Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome： A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background： Current views on continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） treatment to improve the cognitive deficits of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） are controversial, so we performed a meta-analysis. Methods： A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Psyclnfo, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and CBMdisc for studies published from June 1971 to July 2014. The outcome measures included neuropsychological tests of the 7 cognitive domains detailed below. Results： After screening the titles and abstracts and thoroughly reading the fuU text, we obtained 13 studies with little risk of bias that incorporated 1744 middle-aged obese participants with mild to severe OSAS. The studies were published from 1994 to 2012. Treatment durations varied from 1 to 24 weeks. The effect sizes of attention, vigilance, processing speed, working memory, memory, verbal fluency, and visuoconstructive skills domains were -0.10 （P = 0.24）, -0.12 （P = 0.04）, -0.08 （P = 0.16）, 0.00 （P = 0.95）, -0.04 （P = 0.30）, -0.06 （P = 0.34）, and -0.01 （P = 0.92）, respectively. Conclusions： Cognition partially improved in patients with OSAS after CPAP treatment. The only domain with significant improvement was vigilance. Rigorous randomized controlled trials need to be performed to obtain clear results.

Significance of depression in obstructive sleep apnea patients and the relationship between the comorbidity and continuous positive airway pressure treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA）, which is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder and characterized by recurrent collapse of the upper airway, causes repeated arousals from sleep, decreased oxygen saturation of the blood, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients with OSA are at increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease,

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on vascular endothelial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and coronary artery disease

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been proven to be effective in improving the symptoms of coexisting coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). However,it is still unclear whether such improvements are linked to changes in vascular endothelial function. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of CPAP treatment on vascular endothelial function in patients with OSAHS and CHD.Methods Thirty-six patients with moderate or severe OSAHS and CHD undergoing three months of CPAP treatment were recruited for this study. The changes in their morning plasma nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) levels,NO/ET ratio,total ischemic burden (TIB) of the myocardium,apnea hypopnea index (AHI),and minimal and mean pulse oxygen saturation (SpO_2) were compared and analyzed before and during CPAP treatment. Results Compared with the plasma levels of ET [(51.39±11.69) ng/L] and NO [(36.67±11.86) μmol/L],NO/ET (0.71±0.14),AHI (32.4±7.9),minimal SpO_2 [(68.9±11.4)%],and myocardial TIB [(66.29±16.37) mm·min] before treatment,there were significant decreases in ET [(33.41±10.03) ng/L] ( P <0.05),increases in NO [(59.89±10.26) μmol/L] and NO/ET (1.79±0.38) ( P <0.01),decreases in AHI (1.9±0.5),and increases in minimal SpO_2 [(90.6±1.8) %] (all P <0.01) and myocardial TIB [(36.42±10.87) mm·min] ( P <0.05) after three months of CPAP treatment.Conclusion CPAP treatment may play an important role in the improvement and protection of vascular endothelial dysfunction and myocardial ischemia in OSAHS patients with CHD.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on elderly Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnea in the prethrombotic state

Objectives To characterize the prethrombotic state ( PTS) in elderly Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation on their PTS.Methods Forty-one elderly patients with moderate and severe OSAHS were enrolled into the OSAHS group and underwent nCPAP treatment. Their blood samples were drawn at 6:00 am and 4:00 pm before and during nCPAP treatment, respectively, to test hemocrit, platelet aggregation (PAG), whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma fibrinogen (fng), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). All blood factors were also tested in a control group consisting of 32 healthy elderly Chinese with neither OSAHS nor cerebrocardiac vascular disease.Results In the OSAHS group there was a significantly higher hemocrit, WBV, fng, and a significantly shorter PT and APTT at 6:00 am compared to 4:00 pm before nCPAP treatment, while there was no significant difference among all blood test factors between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm on day 30 of the nCPAP treatment. In the OSAHS group, the hemocrit, WBV, PAG and plasma fng were significantly lower and the PT and APTT were significantly longer at 6:00 am on day 30 of the nCPAP treatment compared to 6:00 am before the nCPAP treatment. A significantly lower hemocrit, but a much longer PT and APTT were observed at 4:00 pm on day 30 of the treatment, compared with 4:00 pm before the treatment. No significant difference among the blood test factors was found between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm blood in the control group or between the control and OSAHS groups after 30 days of nCPAP treatment.Conclusion In elderly Chinese OSAHS patients, PTS could be effectively eliminated by nCPAP treatment.

Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on insulin resistance and ghrelin levels in non-diabetic apnoeic patients with coronary heart disease

Background Obesity is a common risk factor for several diseases. Obesity related hormone and increased insulin resistance （IR） may contribute to the effects of obstructive sleep apnoea on cardiovascular consequences. We investigated ghrelin and IR in non-diabetic apnoeic patients with stable coronary heart disease and assessed the effects of continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP）. Methods Plasma ghrelin, glucose and insulin were measured in 22 patients with CPAP and 22 matched controls without CPAP at baseline and three months. Indexes including homeostasis model assessment IR （HOMA IR）, HOMA S and HOMA β were calculated for the assessment of IR, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell function. Results At three months follow-up, plasma ghrelin levels and HOMA IR in CPAP group were significantly decreased （P=0.002 and 0.046, respectively） while those in control group increased significantly （P=0.012 and 0.009, respectively）. Significant moderate correlations were found between ghrelin vs. HOMA IR and ghrelin vs. HOMA S after CPAP, however, for those without CPAP, no significant associations were observed. Conclusions Short-term effective continuous positive airway pressure had a significant effect on lowering plasma ghrelin levels and IR, but not body fat. Further large scale and longer term studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.

Safety of restarting continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy following endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery

Objectives:Patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)are at increased risk of perioperative and postoperative morbidity.The use of continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)in the perioperative period may be of potential benefit.However,among patients who have undergone endonasal skull base surgery,many surgeons avoid prompt re-initiation of CPAP therapy due to the theoretical increased risk of epistaxis,excessive dryness,pneumocephalus,repair migration,intracranial introduction of bacteria,and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)leak.The objective of this article is to review the most up-to-date literature regarding when it is safe to resume CPAP usage in the patient undergoing endonasal skull base surgery.Data Sources and Methods:This review combines the most recent literature as queried through PubMed regarding the safety of CPAP resumption following endonasal skull base surgery.Results:Recent surveys of skull base surgeons demonstrate little consensus regarding the post-operative management of OSA.Recent cadaveric studies suggest that approximately 85%of delivered CPAP pressures are transmitted to the sphenoid sinus.Further,at frequently prescribed CPAP pressure settings,common sellar reconstruction techniques maintain their integrity while preventing very little transmission of pressure into the sella.In small retrospective case series,patients with OSA who received CPAP immediately following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery had similar rates of surgical complications as OSA patients who did not receive CPAP in the immediate post-operative period.Concerns of reinitiating CPAP too early,such as the development of pneumocephalus,rarely develop.Conclusions:There remains a paucity of objective data regarding when it is safe to resume CPAP following endonasal skull base surgery.Recent cadaveric studies and small retrospective case series suggest that it may be safe to resume CPAP earlier than is often practiced following endonasal skull base surgery.