[Hemodynamic changes with and without CPAP-ventilation in patients with sleep apnea]

In 21 patients suffering from severe sleep-apnoea syndrome we measured continuously haemodynamic parameters, blood gases, ECG, EEG, respiratory rate and ultrasonic cardiogram before and under treatment with nasal CPAP-breathing. All patients (male, age 29 to 58 yrs) had normal blood gases, heart-minute-volumes pulmonary artery pressures and left ventricular end-diastolic wedge pressures, when they were awake. During sleep all developed a decrease of pO2 and severe pulmonary artery hypertension with mean pulmonary artery pressures of 64 mmHg. In 10 patients an enlargement of the right ventricular diameter up to 13 mm difference could be seen. Treatment with nasal CPAP-breathing could reduce or even prevent changes in blood gases and in the haemodynamic system. The pulmonary artery pressures normalised in all patients. No right ventricular enlargement could be seen during nasal CPAP-breathing. Treatment with CPAP-breathing could normalise haemodynamic disorders in patients with severe SAS and may perhaps prevent development of cor pulmonale.