Sleep Breath 2000; 04(3): 113-120
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11568
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Influence of Low-Flow Oxygen Supply on Sleep Architecture in Patients with Severe Heart Failure (NYHA III-IV) and Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Stefan A. Thalhofer, Peter Dorow, Philipp Meissner
  • DRK-Klininiken Mark Brandenburg, Department of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

ABSTRACT

Patients suffering from severe heart failure may develop breathing pattern disorders during sleep, especially in the form of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Results may be severe disturbances in sleep architecture and worsening of hemodynamics and of prognosis of these patients. Causes of the periodic breathing disorders are probably hypocapnia, hypersensitivity of respiratory control centers, hypoxemia, and prolonged blood circulation time. This study examined the influence of different concentrations of continously administered oxygen during the nighttime on breathing pattern disorders, oxygen saturation, and sleep architecture in 65 patients with severe heart failure (NYHA III-IV). Fifty-two of 65 patients showed an improvement of sleep architecture. Total sleeping time increased significantly (p < 0.01). Fragmentations of sleep by arousals decreased ( p < 0.01); time of random eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep III and IV increased significantly.

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