Abnormal respiration and sudden death during sleep in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure.
We studied respiration during sleep in 7 patients with multiple system atrophy and autonomic failure (MSA-AF) and 7 control subjects. Although mean respiratory rate, tidal volume, and inspiratory flow rate were statistically similar in both groups, the coefficients of variability in all were significantly greater in MSA-AF patients. Four of 5 nontracheostomized had evidence of upper airway obstruction without significant oxygen desaturation. Three of these 5 patients died suddenly during sleep. MSA-AF is associated with upper airway dysfunction and disordered central respirations which can be life threatening. Evidence of even mild obstruction during sleep should warrant tracheostomy.
Munschauer
F E
FE
State University of New York, Buffalo.
Loh
L
L
Bannister
R
R
Newsom-Davis
J
J
D000368:Aged; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012119:Respiration; D012791:Shy-Drager Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012890:Sleep; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes; D013990:Tidal Volume