Sleep Apnea and Early Neurological Deterioration in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Evidence of an association between sleep apnea (SA) and early neurological deterioration (END) in acute phase ischemic stroke is scant. We investigated the prevalence of SA and the impact of SA severity on END in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

We prospectively enrolled consecutive AIS patients admitted to our stroke unit within 72 hours of symptom onset. SA severity was assessed with ApneaLink-a validated portable respiratory monitor. SA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of greater than or equal to 5 per hour. END was defined as an incremental increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score by greater than or equal to 1 point in motor power, or greater than or equal to 2 points in the total score within the first week after admission.

Of the 305 patients studied, 254 (83.3%) patients had SA (AHI ≥ 5 per hour), and of these, 114 (37.4%) had mild SA (AHI 5-14 per hour), 59 (19.3%) had moderate SA (AHI 15-29 per hour), and 81 (26.6%) had severe SA (AHI ≥ 30 per hour). Thirty-six (11.8%) patients experienced END: 2 of the 51 (3.9%) patients without SA and 34 of the 254 (14.4%) patients with SA. Multivariable regression analysis showed AHI independently predicted END (odds ratio 1.024; 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 1.042; P = .008).

SA is common in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, and SA severity is associated with the risk of END.