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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Positional sleep apnea in patients with ischemic stroke.
Rainer Dziewas1, Benjamin Hopmann, Marius Humpert
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany. dziewas@uni-muenster.de
Neurological Research
|April 22, 2008
Summary
Positional sleep apnea (SA) is common in acute stroke patients and decreases over time. High initial apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and vascular risk factors predict persistent SA six months post-stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory Health
Background:
- Positional sleep apnea (SA) is recognized in non-stroke patients.
- The relationship between SA and sleeping position in acute stroke is not well understood.
- Investigating SA in stroke patients can inform post-rehabilitation treatment needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if apnea occurrence in acute stroke relates to patient positioning.
- To assess if positional SA changes after rehabilitation.
- To identify predictors of persistent SA six months post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- Cardiorespiratory polygraphy was performed on 55 acute stroke patients within 72 hours and at 6 months post-stroke.
- Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was measured in supine and other positions.
- Demographic data, NIH Stroke Scale scores, and vascular risk factors were collected.
Main Results:
- Initially, 78% of patients had an AHI ≥ 10/h, with 65% having positional SA.
- At 6 months, SA incidence decreased to 49%, with 33% having positional SA.
- Admission AHITOT and cumulative vascular risk factors predicted persistent SA at 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Positional SA is prevalent in acute stroke patients.
- The incidence of SA significantly declines in the months following stroke.
- Findings suggest potential implications for SA treatment strategies in stroke survivors.
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