Acute cardiovascular changes with obstructive events in children with sleep disordered breathing

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
04:53

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: October 18, 2024

Denise M O'Driscoll1, Alison M Foster, Michelle L Ng

  • 1Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. denise.odriscoll@med.monash.edu.au

Sleep
|October 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) experience significant increases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during obstructive events, similar to adults. These cardiovascular changes are more pronounced during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and arousal.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Sleep medicine
  • Cardiovascular physiology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep events in adults are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) face similar cardiovascular risks.
  • Previous research indicates acute blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) changes during obstructive apneas in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if BP and HR augment during obstructive events in children.
  • To compare the magnitude of these changes in children to adult levels.
  • To identify factors influencing cardiovascular changes during SDB events in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Beat-by-beat mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR were continuously monitored in 30 children (7-12 years) undergoing polysomnography.
  • Data were analyzed across obstructive events (pre, early, late, post-event) during NREM and REM sleep.
  • Two-way ANOVA with post hoc analyses compared cardiovascular changes, identifying predictors like sleep state and arousal.

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in MAP and HR were observed from late to post-event during both NREM and REM sleep (P < 0.05).
  • NREM sleep state and arousal from sleep were identified as significant independent predictors of the magnitude of cardiovascular change.
  • The observed cardiovascular changes in children were comparable in magnitude to those reported in adult studies.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric SDB involves significant HR and BP fluctuations during obstructive events, mirroring adult responses.
  • These acute cardiovascular changes are more pronounced during NREM sleep and associated with arousals.
  • Repetitive cardiovascular perturbations in children with SDB may contribute to long-term cardiovascular complications, including hypertension.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans09:54

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans

Published on: December 22, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Alterations in Respiration II01:30

Alterations in Respiration II

There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...