[The effect of continuous positive pressure in the nasal airway on the right ventricular function in obstructive apnea sleep syndrome].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the right ventricular function in the obstructive apnea sleep syndrome (OSAS) and to determine the effect of the continuous use of a continuous positive pressure nasal device on the airway (CPSPn) produces on this aspect of the disease.


METHODS
Forty patients were diagnosed of OSAS by study of spontaneous night sleep. A functional respiratory study was performed in all the patients as was a calculation of the index of body mass (IBM) and isotopic ventriculography for the calculation of the right and left ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF and LVEF). Twenty-six patients were followed after 8.4 +/- 3.3 months of home treatment with CPAPn in which these studies were repeated.


RESULTS
Twenty-four of the 40 patients (60%) had RVEF lower than 0.45. These 24 patients had paO2 in vigil state (69.9 +/- 13.6 mmHg) than those with a normal RVEF (80.1 +/- 8.7 mmHg) (p < 0.05). After treatment with CPAPn an elevation was observed in the RVEF in the group which was followed. This increase was significant in the subgroup sharing low RVEF (n = 16) prior to starting treatment upon passing from 0.39 (+/- 0.02) to 0.45 (+/- 0.04) (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Right ventricular dysfunction in frequent in patients with the obstructive apnea sleep syndrome and is more frequent in patients maintaining hypoxemia in vigil. The continual use of continuous positive pressure in the nasal airway produces improvement in right ventricular function particularly in those in whom this was most disturbed.
Valera Sánchez
A
A
Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.
Capote Gil
F
F
Ramos Ruiz
A
A
Rodríguez Becerra
E
E
Castillo Gómez
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity
Efecto de la presión positiva continua en la vía aérea a través de la nariz sobre la función ventricular derecha en el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño.