Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Oct 1994
Comparative Study[A decrease in the level of CPAP required after prolonged treatment in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].
Application of continuous positive upper airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). CPAP keeps the upper airway open by providing a "pneumatic splint" on the pharyngeal walls. However, it has been suggested that prolonged nasal CPAP treatment may also improve the physiopathological mechanisms responsible for OSAS by a variety of mechanisms such as the reduction of edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, modification of upper airway muscle dynamics; there may even be a reduction in the intensity of phenomena responsible for brief awakening and ending of apneic episodes. ⋯ CPAP levels needed to eliminate episodes of apnea, blood O2 desaturation and snoring at the time of diagnosis and after long-term treatment (8.5 +/- 4.6 months) were applied. Weight was recorder at both measurement times. Eighteen of the 22 patients (1 woman, mean age 53.1 +/- 11.4 years and apnea/hypopnea index 64.8 +/- 23.4 per hour) experienced no weight change during treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)