Acute pulmonary embolism in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: does it affect the severity of sleep-disordered breathing?

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) may result in an increase in central venous pressure, which may contribute to pharyngeal narrowing by fluid accumulation in nuchal and peripharyngeal soft tissues and therefore affect obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the impact of acute PE on the severity of sleep-disordered breathing in OSA patients. METHODS: Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in 15 OSA patients shortly after acute PE and again after 3 months of sufficient anticoagulation therapy. OSA remained untreated meanwhile. RESULTS: Acute PE did not significantly affect the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of OSA is representative in acute PE, as the transient increase of central venous pressure seems not to affect the AHI once the patients are clinical stable for PSG.