Central Sleep Apnea in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of development of central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Sixteen patients with SAS underwent polysomnography before and after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). FifOteen control subjects were subjected to polysomnography, and a comparison of respiratory factors among these subjects was performed. Before surgery, CSA was found in eight of the sixteen OSAS patients (50%) and this number was significantly more than two in the control subjects (13%). Among SAS patients, the rate of mixed sleep apnea in the apnea hypopnea index was higher in the pOatients with CSA than in the patients without CSA. Since this trend was not changed after surgery, it suggested that respiratory control by nervous system appears to be involved in the development of CSA in OSAS patients.