Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans
Published on: December 22, 2016
Cardiorespiratory phase-coupling is reduced in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Muammar M Kabir1, Hany Dimitri, Prashanthan Sanders
1Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. muammar.kabir@adelaide.edu.au
Cardiorespiratory phase-coupling, a measure of heart and breathing interaction, is reduced in severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This ECG-based measure may help screen for OSA severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cardiorespiratory interaction is crucial for physiological homeostasis.
- Phase-locking between cardiac and respiratory rhythms is a key indicator of this interaction.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep, impacting cardiorespiratory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify cardiorespiratory phase-coupling in individuals with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- To investigate the association between cardiorespiratory phase-coupling and OSA severity.
- To explore the influence of sleep stages, age, and BMI on cardiorespiratory phase-coupling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized overnight polysomnography data from 248 subjects with suspected OSA.
- Computed cardiorespiratory phase-coupling using R-R intervals from ECG and respiratory rate from thoracic/abdominal sensors.
- Applied the Hilbert transform for phase-coupling analysis.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in cardiorespiratory phase-coupling was observed in patients with severe OSA compared to those with no or mild OSA.
- Phase-coupling was significantly reduced during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep compared to slow-wave (SW) sleep.
- No significant effects of age or body mass index (BMI) on cardiorespiratory phase-coupling were found.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory phase-coupling is diminished in severe OSA.
- Sleep stages, particularly REM sleep, influence cardiorespiratory phase-coupling.
- ECG-based assessment of cardiorespiratory phase-coupling shows potential as a screening tool for OSA severity.
More Related Videos
05:34Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2023
04:53Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: October 18, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Physiological Control of Respiration
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...