Volumetric evaluation of pharyngeal segments in obstructive sleep apnea patients, / Avaliação volumétrica de segmentos faríngeos em pacientes com apneia obstrutivado sono,

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea occurs by recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in total (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) reduction of the airflow and has intimate relation with changes in the upper airway. Cone Beam CT allows the analysis of the upper airway and its volume by three-dimensional reconstruction. Objective To evaluate a possible correlation between the volume of the upper airway and the severity of the obstructive sleep apnea. Methods A retrospective study was performed reviewing polysomnographic data and Cone Beam CT records of 29 patients (13 males and 16 females). The correlation between the volume of the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the total superior pharynx with the AHI was assessed by Pearson's rank correlation coefficient. Results The obstructive sleep apnea severity division was: ten patients had severe, 7 had moderate, 6 had mild and 6 of them were healthy. The correlation between the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the total superior pharynx volumes and the Apnea-Hypopnea-Index was respectively: −0.415 (p = 0.025), 0.186 (p = 0.334) and −0329 (p = 0.089). The Spearman's rank controlled by the Body Mass Index, the age and the gender was: −0.206 (p = 0.304), −0.155 (p = 0.439) and 0.242 (p = 0.284). Conclusion There is no correlation between the volume of the airway and the obstructive sleep apnea, assessed by Apnea-Hypopnea-Index and controlled by the Body Mass Index, the age and the gender. The volume of the upper airways as an isolated parameter did not correlate to the severity of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and should be evaluated together with other factors.

Resumo Introdução A Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono ocorre por colapso recorrente das vias aéreas superiores durante o sono, resultando em redução total (apneia) ou parcial (hipopneia) do fluxo aéreo, tendo relação estreita com alterações nas vias aéreas superiores. A TC de feixe cônico permite a análise da via aérea superior e seu volume através da reconstrução tridimensional. Objetivo Avaliar uma possível correlação entre o volume da via aérea superior e a gravidade da apneia obstrutiva do sono. Método Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo, com revisão de dados polissonográficos e registros de TC de feixe cônico de 29 pacientes (13 do sexo masculino e 16 do sexo feminino). A correlação entre o volume total da nasofaringe, a orofaringe e a faringe superior com o IAH (Índice de Apneia-Hipopneia) foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Resultados A divisão por gravidade da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono foi: dez pacientes apresentaram apneia na forma severa, 7 apresentaram apneia moderada, 6 tinham a forma leve e 6 estavam saudáveis. A correlação entre a nasofaringe, a orofaringe e os volumes da faringe superior e o Índice de Apneia-Hipopneia foram respectivamente: -0,415 (p = 0,025), 0,186 (p = 0,334) e -0329 (p = 0,089). A classificação de Spearman controlada pelo Índice de Massa Corporal, idade e sexo foi: -0,206 (p = 0,304), -0,155 (p = 0,439) e 0,242 (p = 0,284). Conclusão Não há correlação entre o volume da via aérea e a apneia obstrutiva do sono, avaliada pelo índice de apneia-hipopneia e controlada pelo índice de massa corporal, idade e sexo. O volume das vias aéreas superiores como parâmetro isolado não se correlacionou com a gravidade da síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono, e deve ser avaliado em conjunto com outros fatores.

Volumetric evaluation of pharyngeal segments in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs by recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in total (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) reduction of the airflow and has intimate relation with changes in the upper airway. Cone Beam CT allows the analysis of the upper airway and its volume by three-dimensional reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a possible correlation between the volume of the upper airway and the severity of the obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed reviewing polysomnographic data and Cone Beam CT records of 29 patients (13 males and 16 females). The correlation between the volume of the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the total superior pharynx with the AHI was assessed by Pearson's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The obstructive sleep apnea severity division was: ten patients had severe, 7 had moderate, 6 had mild and 6 of them were healthy. The correlation between the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the total superior pharynx volumes and the Apnea-Hypopnea-Index was respectively: -0.415 (p=0.025), 0.186 (p=0.334) and -0329 (p=0.089). The Spearman's rank controlled by the Body Mass Index, the age and the gender was: -0.206 (p=0.304), -0.155 (p=0.439) and 0.242 (p=0.284). CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between the volume of the airway and the obstructive sleep apnea, assessed by Apnea-Hypopnea-Index and controlled by the Body Mass Index, the age and the gender. The volume of the upper airways as an isolated parameter did not correlate to the severity of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and should be evaluated together with other factors.

Correlation between the Friedman Staging System and the upper airway volume in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between computed tomography findings and data from the physical examination and the Friedman Staging System (FSS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation by reviewing the medical records of 33 patients (19 male and 14 female patients) with a mean body mass index of 30.38 kg/m(2) and mean age of 49.35 years. Among these patients, 14 presented with severe OSA, 7 had moderate OSA, 7 had mild OSA, and 5 were healthy. RESULTS: The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the FSS: Group A comprised patients with FSS stage I or II, and group B comprised patients with FSS stage III. By use of the Fisher exact test, a positive relationship between the FSS stage and apnea-hypopnea index (P = .011) and between the FSS stage and body mass index (P = .012) was found. There was no correlation between age (P = .55) and gender (P = .53) with the FSS stage. The analysis of variance test comparing the upper airway volume between the 2 groups showed P = .018. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample the FSS and upper airway volume showed an inverse correlation and were useful in analyzing the mechanisms of airway collapse in patients with OSA.

Selective late sodium current blockade with GS-458967 markedly reduces ischemia-induced atrial and ventricular repolarization alternans and ECG heterogeneity.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease is associated with dual risk for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether selectively targeting late sodium channel current (INa) with GS-458967 (hereafter GS967) can reduce cardiac electrical instability and compared its effects to a clinically relevant dose of flecainide. METHODS: Electrode catheters were positioned on the left atrial appendage and left ventricle of anesthetized pigs to monitor repolarization alternans and electrocardiographic heterogeneity before and during left circumflex coronary artery stenosis (75% flow reduction) before and after GS967 (0.4 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]) or flecainide (1 mg/kg, IV, bolus over 2 minutes followed by 1 mg/(kg·h), IV, for 1 hour) administration. RESULTS: Left circumflex coronary artery stenosis increased atrial repolarization alternans by 520% (from 9.4 ± 1.2 to 58.3 ± 11.3 µV; P = .029) and T-wave alternans by 1038% (from 30.7 ± 8.2 to 349.3 ± 103.8 µV; P = .049). GS967 prevented ischemia-induced increases in alternans in the left atrium (19.3 ± 5.6 µV vs 58.3 ± 11.3 µV; P = .023) and left ventricle (217.9 ± 95.8 µV vs 349.3 ± 103.8 µV; P < .001) (n = 7). GS967 reduced ischemia-induced increases in depolarization heterogeneity (atrium: from 45% to 28%; ventricle: from 92% to 51%) and repolarization heterogeneity (atrium: 43% to 23%; ventricle: 137% to 91%). GS967 did not alter heart rate, arterial blood pressure, PR and QT intervals, or QRS duration, but it mildly decreased contractility (left ventricular dP/dt) during ischemia, which was consistent with late INa inhibition. Flecainide (n = 7) amplified ischemia-induced increase in atrial and ventricular repolarization alternans, electrocardiographic heterogeneity, and ventricular fibrillation incidence. CONCLUSION: Selective late INa inhibition with GS967 exerts potent protective effects against ischemia-induced depolarization and repolarization abnormalities in both atria and ventricles.

Conjoined twins: twenty years' experience at a reference center in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on the experience of one hospital regarding the surgical aspects, anatomic investigation and outcomes of the management of 21 conjoined twin pairs over the past 20 years. METHODS: All cases of conjoined twins who were treated during this period were reviewed. A careful imaging evaluation was performed to detail the abdominal anatomy (particularly the liver), inferior vena cava, spleen and pancreas, either to identify the number of organs or to evaluate the degree of organ sharing. RESULTS: There were eight sets of ischiopagus twins, seven sets of thoracopagus twins, three sets of omphalopagus twins, two sets of thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins and one set of craniopagus twins. Nine pairs of conjoined twins could not be separated due to the complexity of the organs (mainly the liver and heart) that were shared by both twins; these pairs included one set of ischiopagus twins, six sets of thoracopagus twins and one set of thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins. Twelve sets were separated, including seven sets of ischiopagus twins, three sets of omphalopagus twins, one set of thoracopagus twins and one set of craniopagus conjoined twins. The abdominal wall was closed in the majority of patients with the use of mesh instead of the earlier method of using tissue expanders. The surgical survival rate was 66.7%, and one pair of twins who did not undergo separation is currently alive. CONCLUSION: A detailed anatomic study of the twins and surgical planning must precede separation. A well-prepared pediatric surgery team is sufficient to surgically manage conjoined twins.

Conjoined twins: twenty years' experience at a reference center in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on the experience of one hospital regarding the surgical aspects, anatomic investigation and outcomes of the management of 21 conjoined twin pairs over the past 20 years. METHODS: All cases of conjoined twins who were treated during this period were reviewed. A careful imaging evaluation was performed to detail the abdominal anatomy (particularly the liver), inferior vena cava, spleen and pancreas, either to identify the number of organs or to evaluate the degree of organ sharing. RESULTS: There were eight sets of ischiopagus twins, seven sets of thoracopagus twins, three sets of omphalopagus twins, two sets of thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins and one set of craniopagus twins. Nine pairs of conjoined twins could not be separated due to the complexity of the organs (mainly the liver and heart) that were shared by both twins; these pairs included one set of ischiopagus twins, six sets of thoracopagus twins and one set of thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins. Twelve sets were separated, including seven sets of ischiopagus twins, three sets of omphalopagus twins, one set of thoracopagus twins and one set of craniopagus conjoined twins. The abdominal wall was closed in the majority of patients with the use of mesh instead of the earlier method of using tissue expanders. The surgical survival rate was 66.7%, and one pair of twins who did not undergo separation is currently alive. CONCLUSION: A detailed anatomic study of the twins and surgical planning must precede separation. A well-prepared pediatric surgery team is sufficient to surgically manage conjoined twins.