Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing Liberates Obese Hypoxemic Patients from Oxygen
Marcus Povitz1, Patrick J Hanly2, Sachin R Pendharkar3
1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Obese hypoxemic patients have a high prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). It is unclear to what extent treatment of SDB can improve daytime hypoxemia.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective cohort study of obese hypoxemic individuals, all of whom underwent polysomnography, arterial blood gas analysis, and subsequent initiation of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for SDB. Patients were followed for one year for change in partial pressure of arterial oxygen and the need for supplemental oxygen.
Results:
One hundred and seventeen patients were treated with nocturnal PAP and had follow-up available. Adherence to PAP was satisfactory in 60%, and was associated with a significant improvement in daytime hypoxemia and hypercapnea; 56% of these patients were able to discontinue supplemental oxygen. Adherence to PAP therapy and the baseline severity of OSA predicted improvement in hypoxemia, but only adherence to PAP therapy predicted liberation from supplemental oxygen.
Conclusions:
The identification and treatment of SDB in obese hypoxemic patients improves daytime hypoxemia. It is important to identify SDB in these patients, since supplemental oxygen can frequently be discontinued following treatment with PAP therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

