Effect of treatment by laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty on cardiopulmonary exercise test in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of successful laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).


METHODS
Twenty-five subjects with moderately severe or severe OSAS who desired LAUP were enrolled. All patients had an overnight sleep study and CPET before and 3 months after LAUP. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the success (group I) or failure (group II) of LAUP to improve their sleep apnea.


RESULTS
Successful LAUP in group I was followed by improvement in right ventricular ejection fraction, maximal work rate (WRmax), VO2max/kg, anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse, and a lower breathing reserve. CPET results were unchanged after LAUP in group II subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with OSAS before LAUP had abnormal CPET as reflected by low VO2peak/kg, WRmax, anaerobic threshold, and oxygen pulse. All of these variables improved after LAUP that successfully ameliorated OSAS.
Lin
Ching-Chi
CC
Chest Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. cclin@ms2.mmh.org.tw
Chang
Ke-Chang
KC
Lee
Kuo-Sheng
KS
Wu
Kun-Ming
KM
Chou
Chon-Shin
CS
Lin
Ching-Kai
CK
D000328:Adult; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery