Keywords

cardiovascular, respiration, sleep

 

Authors

  1. Richards, Kathy C. PhD, RN
  2. Anderson, William McDowell MD
  3. Chesson, Andrew L. Jr. MD
  4. Nagel, Corey L. BSN, RN

Abstract

This descriptive study describes the frequency and severity of sleep-related breathing disorders in men who are hemodynamically stable who have an acute cardiovascular illness and are hospitalized in a critical care unit. Sixty-four males, aged 55-79 years, with an acute cardiovascular illness, stable hemodynamics, and no ongoing chest pain or history of sleep apnea were studied for 1 night in the critical care unit using polysomnography. Forty-seven percent of the sample had an apnea-hypopnea index >=5, with events of both obstructive and central etiologies, including Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Oxygen desaturation to <=90% occurred in 61% of the sample. There were no episodes of chest pain, ventricular tachycardia, or heart block associated with apneic or hypopneic events; however, dysrhythmias, including sinus bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and premature ventricular beats, were associated with apneic and hypopneic events.