Sleep medicine
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Under particular conditions a patent foramen ovale (PFO) can potentially give rise to ischemic stroke by means of paradoxic embolization. In obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) right to left shunting (RLSh) can occur through PFO during periods of nocturnal apnea. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PFO diagnosed by means of transcranial Doppler (TcD) in subjects with OSAS. ⋯ Prevalence of PFO in subjects with OSA is significantly higher than in normal controls. The shunt is frequently present only during Valsalva maneuver.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of the NovaSom QSG, a new sleep apnea home-diagnostic system, and polysomnography.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, common, and underdiagnosed disorder that challenges health care resources. While polysomnography (PSG) represents the standard diagnostic test for OSA, portable devices provide an alternative diagnostic tool when issues of cost, time, geographic availability, or other constraints pose impediments to in-lab testing. This study compares the NovaSom QSG, a new sleep apnea home diagnostic system, to PSG both in the laboratory and in the home. ⋯ In a patient population suspected of having OSA, the NovaSom QSG demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and specificity both in the lab and self-administered in the home, when compared to PSG.