Autonomic Stress Tests in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Snoring

TL;DRAbstract

Apneic events in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are associated with cardiovascular responses mediated through the autonomic nervous system. We examined autonomic cardiovascular responses in 33 patients (median age = 50 years, range = 20-72 years) undergoing polysomnography for suspected OSAS. We examined these responses in the evening and at arousal in the morning. Tests consisted of heart rate responses to Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing and change from lying down to standing. In addition, systolic blood pressure (BP) response to standing and diastolic BP response to handgrip were studied. Each abnormal test scored +1 and each marginal result +0.5. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) test results were scored as abnormal if a subject had a score > 1 which included at least one abnormal test. The total scores for evening and morning tests combined showed 11/24 sets of scores > 1 in 12 severe OSAS patients [median RDI (apnea+hypopnea per hour slept) = 44 (range = 31-74)] compar

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