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Updated: Oct 23, 2025

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Severe obstructive sleep apnoea, aortic dissection and aortopulmonary fistula in a 56-year-old patient with syncope
Muzzamil Anwar Jelani1, Shravan Nosib2
1Internal Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Abstract:
We present a case of a 56-year-old patient with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) presenting with acute decompensated heart failure and signs of cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography and CT imaging led to the diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection (AD) complicated by aortopulmonary fistula (APF). The patient underwent successful surgical repair with complicated postoperative course including pulseless electrical activity arrest. This case highlights the underappreciated role of untreated OSA as a risk factor for AD. Furthermore, it presents an opportunity to review APFs as a rare complication of AD. We discuss the available evidence linking OSA and AD, review currently reported cases of APF, briefly outline the haemodynamics of this acute left-to-right shunt and discuss management of this rare but deadly complication.
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