Association of Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Postoperative Cardiovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Major Noncardiac Surgery

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common in the general population and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess hospital outcomes of patients with TBI with and without a pre-existing OSA diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of adult patients aged ≥ 18 years with a primary diagnosis of TBI. In-hospital outcomes were assessed among patients with TBI with and without pre-existing OSA hospitalized between 2005 to 2015 in the United States. Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression models were used to analyze in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital complications among patients with TBI with and without a pretrauma OSA diagnosis.

RESULTS

In our TBI cohort, the overall prevalence of diagnosed OSA was 0.90%. Patients with OSA were mostly obese or morbidly obese older men with high comorbidity burden and sustained more severe head injuries yet were less likely to undergo craniotomy or craniectomy. Following propensity score matching, the odds risk (OR) of in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the OSA group with TBI (OR 0.58; p < 0.001). Compared with the non-OSA group, patients with OSA had significantly higher risk of respiratory complications (OR 1.23) and acute heart failure (OR 1.25) and lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (OR 0.73), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.34), and packed red blood cell transfusions (OR 0.79). Patients with OSA spent on average 0.3 days less (7.4 vs. 7.7 days) hospitalized compared with the non-OSA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with TBI with underlying OSA diagnosis were older and had higher comorbidity burden; however, hospital mortality was lower. Pre-existing OSA may result in protective physiologic changes such as hypoxic-ischemic preconditioning especially to cardiac and neural tissues, which can provide protection following neurological trauma, which may lead to a reduction in mortality.

Postoperative outcomes in surgical patients with obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed by sleep studies: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Identifying surgical patients with obstructive sleep apnoea may assist with anaesthetic management to minimise postoperative complications. Using trial sequential analysis, we evaluated the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed by polysomnography or home sleep apnoea testing on postoperative outcomes in surgical patients. Multiple databases were systematically searched. Outcomes included: total postoperative complications, systemic complications (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, renal, infectious) and specific complications (atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, combined hospital and intensive care unit re-admission, mortality). The pooled odds ratios of postoperative complications were evaluated by the Mantel-Haenszel method random-effects model. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted, and the GRADE approach was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Twenty prospective cohort studies with 3756 patients (2127 obstructive sleep apnoea and 1629 non-obstructive sleep apnoea) were included (9 in non-cardiac surgery and 11 in cardiac surgery). Postoperative complications were almost two-fold higher with obstructive sleep apnoea, OR (95%CI) 1.92 (1.52-2.42), p < 0.001; certainty of evidence, moderate. Obstructive sleep apnoea was associated with a 1.5 times increased risk of postoperative cardiovascular complications, OR (95%CI) 1.56 (1.20-2.02), p = 0.001; certainty of evidence, moderate; an almost two-fold increase in respiratory complications, OR (95%CI) 1.91 (1.39-2.62), p < 0.001; certainty of evidence, moderate; and hospital and ICU re-admission, OR (95%CI) 2.25 (1.21-4.19), p = 0.01; certainty of evidence, low. Trial sequential analysis showed adequate information size for postoperative complications. Baseline confounding factors were adjusted by meta-regression, and the sub-group analysis did not materially change our results. This increased risk occurred especially in patients in whom obstructive sleep apnoea had been newly diagnosed, emphasising the importance of pre-operative screening.

Continuously monitored vital signs for detection of myocardial injury in high-risk patients - An observational study

Background

Patients are at risk of myocardial injury after major non‐cardiac surgery and during acute illness. Myocardial injury is associated with mortality, but often asymptomatic and currently detected through intermittent cardiac biomarker screening. This delays diagnosis, where vital signs deviations may serve as a proxy for early signs of myocardial injury. This study aimed to assess the association between continuous monitored vital sign deviations and subsequent myocardial injury following major abdominal cancer surgery and during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods

Patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery or admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had daily troponin measurements. Continuous wireless monitoring of several vital signs was performed for up to 96 h after admission or surgery. The primary exposure was cumulative duration of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) below 85% in the 24 h before the primary outcome of myocardial injury, defined as a new onset ischaemic troponin elevation assessed daily. If no myocardial injury occurred, the primary exposure was based on the first 24 h of measurement.

Results

A total of 662 patients were continuously monitored and 113 (17%) had a myocardial injury. Cumulative duration of SpO₂ < 85% was significantly associated with myocardial injury (mean difference 14.2 min [95% confidence interval −4.7 to 33.1 min]; p = .005). Durations of hypoxaemia (SpO₂ < 88% and SpO₂ < 80%), tachycardia (HR > 110 bpm and HR > 130 bpm) and tachypnoea (RR > 24 min⁻¹ and RR > 30 min⁻¹) were also significantly associated with myocardial injury (p < .04, for all).

Conclusion

Duration of severely low SpO₂ detected by continuous wireless monitoring is significantly associated with myocardial injury in high‐risk patients admitted to hospital wards. The effect of early detection and interventions should be assessed next.

Clinical implications of opioid-induced ventilatory impairment

Opioid-induced ventilatory impairment is the primary mechanism of harm from opioid use. Opioids suppress the activity of the central respiratory centres and are sedating, leading to impairment of alveolar ventilation.Respiratory physiological changes induced with acute opioid use include depression of the hypercapnic ventilatory response and hypoxic ventilatory response. In chronic opioid use a compensatory increase in hypoxic ventilatory response maintains ventilation and contributes to the onset of sleep-disordered breathing patterns of central sleep apnoea and ataxic breathing. Supplemental oxygen use in those at risk of opioid-induced ventilatory impairment requires careful consideration by the clinician to prevent failure to detect hypoventilation, if oximetry is being relied on, and the overriding of hypoxic ventilatory drive. Obstructive sleep apnoea and opioid-induced ventilatory impairment are frequently associated, with this interrelationship being complex and often unpredictable. Monitoring the patient for opioid-induced ventilatory impairment poses challenges in the areas of reliability, avoidance of alarm fatigue, cost, and personnel demands. Many situations remain in which patients cannot be provided effective analgesia without opioids, and for these the clinician requires a comprehensive knowledge of opioid-induced ventilatory impairment.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome With Long-Term Cardiovascular Risks and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background

Evidence suggests that an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in the elderly. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases cardiovascular risk in the general population; however, less is known about its influence in patients with OSA. We aimed to assess whether MetS affected the risk of MACE and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with OSA.

Methods

From January 2015 to October 2017, 1,157 patients with OSA, aged ≥60 years, no myocardial infarction (MI), and hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure were enrolled at baseline and were followed up prospectively. OSA is defined as an apnea-hypopnea index of ≥5 events per hour, as recorded by polysomnography. Patients were classified on the basis of the presence of MetS, according to the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Incidence rates were expressed as cumulative incidence. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to estimate the risk of all events. The primary outcomes were MACE, which included cardiovascular death, MI, and hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure. Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, components of MACE, and a composite of all events.

Results

MetS was present in 703 out of 1,157 (60.8%) elderly patients with OSA. During the median follow-up of 42 months, 119 (10.3%) patients experienced MACE. MetS conferred a cumulative incidence of MACE in elderly patients with OSA (log-rank, P < 0.001). In addition, there was a trend for MACE incidence risk to gradually increase in individuals with ≥3 MetS components (P = 0.045). Multivariate analysis showed that MetS was associated with an incidence risk for MACE [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17–2.96; P = 0.009], a composite of all events (aHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.03–2.32; P = 0.036), and hospitalization for unstable angina (aHR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.04–3.90; P = 0.039). No significant differences in the risk of all-cause mortality and other components of MACE between patients with and without MetS (P > 0.05). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that males (aHR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.28–3.91, P = 0.05), individuals aged <70 years (aHR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.27–4.39, P = 0.006), overweight and obese individuals (aHR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.34–4.01, P = 0.003), and those with moderate-severe OSA (aHR, 1.81;95% CI: 1.05–3.12, P = 0.032) and concomitant MetS were at a higher risk for MACE.

Conclusion

MetS is common in elderly patients with OSA in the absence of MI, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure. Further, it confers an independent, increased risk of MACE, a composite of all events, and hospitalization for unstable angina. Overweight and obese males, aged <70 years with moderate-severe OSA combined with MetS presented a significantly higher MACE risk.

Opioids and obstructive sleep apnea

Opioids are widely prescribed for pain management, and it is estimated that 40% of adults in the United States use prescription opioids every year. Opioid misuse leads to high mortality, with respiratory depression as the main cause of death. Animal and human studies indicate that opioid use may lead to sleep-disordered breathing. Opioids affect control of breathing and impair upper airway function, causing central apneas, upper airway obstruction, and hypoxemia during sleep. The presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of opioid-induced respiratory depression. However, even if the relationship between opioids and central sleep apnea is firmly established, the question of whether opioids can aggravate OSA remains unanswered. While several reports have shown a high prevalence of OSA and nocturnal hypoxemia in patients receiving a high dose of opioids, other studies did not find a correlation between opioid use and obstructive events. These differences can be attributed to considerable interindividual variability, divergent effects of opioids on different phenotypic traits of OSA, and wide-ranging methodology. This review will discuss mechanistic insights into the effects of opioids on the upper airway and hypoglossal motor activity and the association of opioid use and obstructive sleep apnea.

CITATION

Freire C, Sennes LU, Polotsky VY. Opioids and obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):647-652.

Periocular Manifestation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Novel Perioperative Screening Tool

Purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents perioperative challenges with increased risk for complications. Floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is associated with OSA yet has not been addressed perioperatively. The current standard for perioperative OSA screening includes assessing patient risk factors or the STOP-BANG tool, which requires an active participant. We aimed to confirm a connection between FES and OSA in presurgical patients and develop a screening method appropriate for patients with perioperative OSA risk.

Materials and Methods

162 presurgical pre-anesthesia clinic patients were enrolled. Screening questions determined eligibility. Those who were pregnant or aged < 19 were excluded. Control group included those with a STOP-BANG score < 3. Experimental group included those with BMI > 35 and OSA diagnosis. Examiners photographed participants’ eyes with vertical and horizontal retraction while two blinded ophthalmologists used a grading scale to review grade of eyelid laxity.

Results

Differences in habitus, ASA score, and hypertension as a comorbidity were significant. Sensitivity of FES screening was 52% (CI 37–66%) and specificity was 56% (CI 46–66%) for reviewer 1. For reviewer 2, sensitivity was 48% (CI 28–69%) and specificity was 72% (CI 60–81%). Negative predictive value was 86% (CI 81–90) for reviewer 1 and 88% (CI 83–92%) for reviewer 2. Inter-rater agreement was moderate.

Conclusion

While specificity and sensitivity were lower than anticipated, negative predictive value was high. Given this strong negative predictive value, our findings indicate using eyelid retraction to screen for FES has perioperative clinical utility. These findings encourage further research addressing the connection of lid laxity/FES to OSA.

Key Points

• Aimed to investigate if a FES screening tool could identify perioperative OSA risk.

• Negative predictive value for FES with OSA was 86%.

• Observing periocular lid laxity has clinical utility; is feasible in any patient.

Graphical abstract

A Population-Based Study of Patients with Sleep-Wake Disorders Undergoing Elective Instrumented Spinal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Sleep-wake disorders are associated with multisystemic pathologies, but the clinical risk that such disorders carry for spinal surgery patients is not well understood. This population-based study comprehensively evaluates the significance of sleep-related risk factors on instrumented spinal surgery outcomes.

METHODS

National Inpatient Sample data for hospitalizations of patients undergoing elective instrumented spine surgery between 2008 and 2014 was analyzed using national estimates. Cohorts were defined as those admissions with or without a coexisting sleep-wake disorder diagnosis identified by ICD-9 codes. Postoperative complications, mortality rate, length of stay, discharge status, and total cost of admission were compared between groups using bivariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A coexisting sleep-wake disorder existed in 234,640 (10.8%) of 2,171,167 instrumented spinal surgery hospitalizations. Multivariate binary logistic regression accounting for these variables confirmed that a sleep-wake disorder is a significant risk factor for postoperative complication (OR 1.160, 95% CI 1.140-1.179, p<0.0001), length of stay above the 75^th percentile (OR 1.303, 95% CI 1.288-1.320, p<0.0001), non-routine discharge (OR 1.147, 95% CI 1.131-1.163, p<0.0001), and death (OR 1.533, 95% CI 1.131-2.078, p<0.01), but not for total charges above the 75^th percentile (OR 0.975, 95% CI 0.962-0.989, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep-wake disorders confer increased risk of morbidity and mortality in elective instrumented spine surgery. Understanding the specific contributions of sleep-wake disorders to postoperative morbidity and mortality can help physicians implement prophylactic measures to reduce complications and improve postoperative patient recovery.

Protocol for detecting unrecognized sleep apnea in patients with atrial fibrillation by a home-monitoring device: the DAN-APNO study

BACKGROUND

Determining the presence of modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF), such as sleep apnea is of clinical importance due to the potential impact targeting these risk factors can have on the progression and burden of AF. Using new digital-based technology is a promising solution to the underreporting of sleep apnea highlighted by academical societies in recent years. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence and severity of sleep apnea in patients with AF and, secondarily, assess the accuracy and feasibility of a new home-screening device for sleep apnea (NightOwl™ by Ectosense).

METHODS

DAN-APNO is a cross-sectional study at the Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital recruiting patients with AF referred to anticoagulation initiation aged 18 to 90 years without known sleep apnea. At least 150 patients will be recruited and undergo medical history, clinical evaluation, several sleep-apnea questionnaires, and a sleep-recording evaluation for four nights with sleep apnea home-monitoring device NightOwl™. Additionally, the first 20 participants and participants with moderate-severe sleep apnea by screening are referred to cardio-respiratory monitoring (CRM). This clinical evaluation allows the comparison of standard evaluation method and the NightOwl™. Clinical measures include Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), pulse rate, as well as questionaries about sleep apnea assessment and the clinical feasibility of the NightOwl™ device. Main outcomes comprise analysis of the prevalence and severity of sleep apnea, and clinical and demographic predictors of moderate and severe sleep apnea. In addition, correlation analyses for accuracy measures between CRM and NightOwl™ will be conducted along with patient ease-of-use and satisfaction questionnaires.

DISCUSSION

This study is limited by selection bias; only patients with atrial fibrillation from anticoagulation clinic is asked to participate, which could limit the generalizability of our results. However, this study aims to test whether a miniaturized simple home-monitoring device for detecting sleep apnea in patients with AF potentially can evaluate sleep apnea more conveniently and easier. Trial Registration The study is registered the 18-02-2021 at clinicaltrials.gov with registration number: NCT04760002.

Patients with sleep-disordered breathing for bariatric surgery

The prevalence of patients with obesity continues to rise worldwide and has reached epidemic proportions. There is a strong correlation between obesity and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and, in particular, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is often undiagnosed in the surgical population. Bariatric surgery has been recognized as an effective treatment option for both obesity and OSA. Laparoscopic bariatric procedures, particularly laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), have become the most frequently performed procedures. OSA has been identified as an independent risk factor for perioperative complications and failure to recognize and prepare for patients with OSA is a major cause of postoperative adverse events, suggesting that all patients undergoing bariatric surgery should be screened preoperatively for OSA. These patients should be treated with an opioid-sparing analgesic plan and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) perioperatively to minimize respiratory complications. With the number of bariatric surgical patients with SDB likely to continue rising, it is critical to understand the best practices to manage this patient population.

The Relationship Between Postoperative Opioid Analgesia and Sleep Apnea Severity in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Controlled, Triple-Blinded Trial

PURPOSE

Residual postoperative pain after hip arthroplasty is usually treated with oral opioids. While classic opioids are associated with respiratory depression and worsening of sleep apnea, tramadol has been reported to preserve respiratory function. However, this has not been investigated in a prospective trial using respiratory polygraphy. This randomized controlled triple-blinded trial tested the hypothesis that postoperative treatment with oral opioids such as oxycodone would increase sleep apnea severity, measured with a respiratory polygraphy, compared with oral tramadol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia with 15 mg isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% were randomized to receive postoperative pain treatment with either oral oxycodone (controlled-release 10 mg every 12 hours and immediate-release 5 mg every 4 hours as needed) or oral tramadol (controlled-release 100 mg every 8 hours and immediate-release 50 mg every 4 hours as needed). Respiratory polygraphy was performed on the first postoperative night. The primary outcome was the apnea-hypopnea index in the supine position. Secondary outcomes included the oxygen desaturation index, postoperative pain scores and intravenous morphine consumption.

RESULTS

Mean supine apnea-hypopnea index on postoperative night 1 was 11.3 events.h^-1 (95% confidence interval, 4.8-17.7) in the oxycodone group and 10.7 (4.6-16.8) events.h^-1 in the tramadol group (p=0.89). There were no significant differences between the oxycodone and tramadol groups with respect to any secondary sleep-related or pain-related outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Oral oxycodone did not increase sleep apnea severity measured using respiratory polygraphy compared with oral tramadol on the first postoperative night after hip arthroplasty.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinicaltrials.gov - NCT03454217 (date of registration: 05/03/2018).

Waist-To-Hip Ratio Predicts Abnormal Overnight Oximetry in Men Independent of Body Mass Index

Background: Ambulatory overnight oximetry (OXI) has emerged as a cost-effective initial test for sleep disordered breathing. Obesity is closely associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); however, whether body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) predicts abnormal overnight OXI remains unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 393 men seen in the Executive Health Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota who underwent ambulatory overnight OXI ordered by preventive medicine physicians between January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2010. We compared participant/spouse-reported symptoms (sleepiness, snoring), physician indications for OXI (obesity, fatigue), Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, anthropomorphic measurements (WHR, BMI), and comorbid medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes) with OXI results. Results: 295 of the 393 men who completed OXI had abnormal results. During multivariate analysis, the strongest independent predictor of abnormal OXI for men was WHR (≥1.0, OR = 5.59) followed by BMI (≥30.0 kg/m2, OR = 2.75), age (≥55 yrs, OR = 2.06), and the presence of snoring (OR = 1.91, P < 0.05 for all). A strong association was observed between WHR and abnormal OXI in obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2, OR = 6.28) and non-obese (BMI < 29.9 kg/m2, OR = 6.42, P < 0.01 for both) men. Furthermore, 88 men with abnormal OXI underwent polysomnography with 91% being subsequently diagnosed with OSA. Conclusions: In ambulatory, predominantly middle-aged men undergoing preventive services evaluation many physician indications for OXI were not predictors of abnormal results; however, WHR strongly predicted abnormal OXI in obese and non-obese men. As such, we suggest middle-aged men who snore and have a WHR ≥1.0 should be directly referred to a sleep clinic for polysomnography.

Risk Assessment of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Clinical Routine: A 3-Year Analysis of Life-Threatening Events in More Than 3,000 Treatment Sessions

Background: Extensive research has reported that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be highly effective in approximately 80% of patients suffering from depression. Its clinical use is mainly limited by historical objections and the concern about unwanted adverse effects (AEs), including serious and potentially life-threatening adverse events (pLTAEs), induced either by ECT or by anesthesia. Objective risk estimation is, therefore, a decisive factor in determining an indication for ECT. Methods: This paper presents a retrospective analysis of 3-year safety protocols and patient files of 157 patients who received a total of 3,106 ECT applications in a psychiatric inpatient setting at a psychiatric community hospital. This patient group comprises 5.3% of inpatients admitted with comparable diagnoses. Adverse events were analyzed from standardized safety protocols and patient files with a focus on pLTAEs. Results: Adverse events were reported for 30 (19.1%) of the 157 participants during 39 (6.1%) of 641 hospital stays. Serious pLTAEs occurred during three electroconvulsive stimulations in three patients, who needed action through the administration of medication or mechanical respiration. No patient suffered permanent damage to health, and no patient died. The incidence of these and other AEs was independent of sex, age, and diagnosis of patients, and anesthesia medication. Minor AEs occurred more often with higher stimulus doses and an increasing number of treatments. Conclusion: The low incidence rate of 0.097% of serious pLTAEs that require medical action may allow the conclusion that ECT is a rather safe treatment when performed in a controlled setting. The beneficial risk profile of ECT performed in the standard care of psychiatric hospitals suggests a more generous indication of this treatment method. We recommend that ECT facilities collect individual safety data to allow a reliable judgment of their institutional ECT risk profile.

Patient Selection for Adult Ambulatory Surgery: A Narrative Review

With migration of medically complex patients undergoing more extensive surgical procedures to the ambulatory setting, selecting the appropriate patient is vital. Patient selection can impact patient safety, efficiency, and reportable outcomes at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Identifying suitability for ambulatory surgery is a dynamic process that depends on a complex interplay between the surgical procedure, patient characteristics, and the expected anesthetic technique (eg, sedation/analgesia, local/regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia). In addition, the type of ambulatory setting (ie, short-stay facilities, hospital-based ambulatory center, freestanding ambulatory center, and office-based surgery) and social factors, such as availability of a responsible individual to take care of the patient at home, can also influence patient selection. The purpose of this review is to present current best evidence that would provide guidance to the ambulatory anesthesiologist in making an informed decision regarding patient selection for surgical procedures in freestanding ambulatory facilities.

Sleep Disturbance Trajectories in Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Sleep disturbance is common among adults with osteoarthritis (OA), but little is known about patterns over time. In this cohort study, we identified restless sleep trajectories and associated factors in adults with or at high risk for knee OA.

METHODS

Longitudinal (2004-2014) restless sleep (≥3 nights/week) annual reports over 8 years from 4359 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants were analyzed. Group-based trajectory modeling identified heterogeneous temporal patterns. Logistic regression identified baseline health and behavioral predictors of trajectory membership.

RESULTS

Four restless sleep trajectory groups were identified: good (69.7%, persistently low restless sleep probabilities), worsening (9.1%), improving (11.7%), and poor (9.5%, persistently high). Among 2 groups initially having low restless sleep prevalence, the worsening trajectory group had an increased likelihood of baseline cardiovascular disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.33), pulmonary disease (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.07-2.05), lower physical activity (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.61), knee pain (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07), depressive symptoms (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06), and a decreased likelihood of better mental health (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98) at baseline. Among 2 groups initially having high restless sleep prevalence, the poor group had an increased likelihood of baseline depressive symptoms (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Four trajectories of restless sleep over 8 years were identified using data collected from over 4000 older adults aged 45 to 79 years with or at higher risk for knee OA. The presence of depressive symptoms, less physical activity, knee pain, poor mental health, cardiovascular disease, or pulmonary disease was each associated with unfavorable trajectories.

A Noninferiority Analysis of 3- vs 2-Incision Techniques for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Implantation

OBJECTIVE

The only hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) device available for US clinical use is implanted through 3 incisions. A recently proposed 2-incision modification moved the respiratory sensing lead from the fifth to the second intercostal space to eliminate the third lower chest incision. This study compared perioperative data and therapeutic outcomes between the techniques.

STUDY DESIGN

Noninferiority cohort analysis of a retrospective and prospective registry study.

SETTING

Tertiary care and community surgical centers.

METHODS

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea underwent HNS implantation via a modified 2-incision technique (I₂). A cohort previously implanted via the standard 3-incision technique (I₃) were 1:1 propensity score matched for a noninferiority analysis of postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 404 I₃ patients and 223 I₂ patients across 6 participating centers. Operative time decreased from 128.7 minutes (95% CI, 124.5-132.9) in I₃ patients to 86.6 minutes (95% CI, 83.7-97.6) in I₂ patients (P < .001). Postoperative sleep study data were available for 76 I₂ patients who were matched to I₃ patients. The change in apnea-hypopnea index between the cohorts was statistically noninferior (a priori noninferiority margin: 7.5 events/h; mean difference, 1.51 [97.5% CI upper bound, 5.86]). There were no significant differences between the cohorts for baseline characteristics, perioperative adverse event rates, or change in Epworth Sleepiness Score (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

In a multicenter registry, a 2-incision implant technique for a commercially available HNS device had a statistically noninferior therapeutic efficacy profile when compared with the standard 3-incision approach. The 2-incision technique is safe and effective for HNS implantation.

Improving Obstuctive Sleep Apnea Care in the Postanesthesia Care Unit

PURPOSE

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve care of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients through increased staff recognition of OSA in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review with implementation of best practice guideline form to front of patient's chart.

METHODS

Baseline data were collected during June 2020. Staff education was provided on current hospital policy of OSA patients. Implementation of a care guideline sheet was added to the front of patient charts for patients meeting inclusion criteria; it consisted of continuous pulse oximetry, 30-degree head of bed elevation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, 1 hour minimum postoperative observation, nonopioid analgesics, and referral to polysomnography. A retrospective chart review was performed following the OSA guideline intervention.

FINDINGS

Both pre- (N = 413) and postintervention (N = 420) groups had statistically similar demographics. CPAP use increased from 16 to 22 (t = 0.890; P = .336). The number of patients experiencing dyspnea decreased from 10 to 8 (t = 0.263; P = .608). The number of patients experiencing acute respiratory events (AREs) decreased from 24 to 18 (t = 1.012; P = .314).

CONCLUSION

There were no significant statistical findings. However, increased recognition of OSA patients by PACU staff can lead to improved care alterations.

Is Intensive Care Unit Monitoring Necessary After Maxillomandibular Advancement for Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

PURPOSE

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an accepted treatment modality for obstructive sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of complications requiring an intensive care unit (ICU) level of care and the necessity of routine overnight ICU airway monitoring after MMA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing MMA at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2003 to 2020. The primary predictor variable was postoperative admission to the ICU versus post anesthesia care unit (PACU) or ward. The primary outcome variable was grade IV or V complications as scored using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. The secondary outcome variables included postoperative SpO₂ nadir and length of hospital stay. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed to measure the association between complications and predictor variables.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 104 patients (74.0% male, mean age 37.6 ± 12.1 years), 61 of whom were admitted to the ICU (58.7%). During the initial 24 hours of airway monitoring, the mean SpO₂ nadir was 93.7 ± 2.59% for patients admitted to the ICU compared with 94.0 ± 6.56% for patients admitted to the PACU or ward (P = .862). Patients experienced 2 grade IV complications (1.92%) and no grade V complications, with no statistical association between complications and postoperative admission location (P = 1.000). Age (P = .002) and operative time (P = .046) were the only variables statistically associated with grade IV or V complications. There was no difference in length of hospital stay between patients admitted to the ICU (2.64 ± 1.37 days) versus PACU or ward (2.58 ± 1.62 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of complications requiring ICU-level care after MMA for obstructive sleep apnea is low. Additional studies are warranted to guide development of feasible, cost-effective perioperative protocols for patients undergoing MMA.

Postoperative cardiorespiratory complications and continuous positive airway pressure efficacy in obese patients undergoing noncardiac surgery

Background and Aims:

One in six Singaporeans has obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) due to obesity compounded by inherent craniofacial features. We assessed the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications and the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in minimising such complications within an obese population.

Methods:

A retrospective study of elective noncardiac surgical patients with a body mass index ≥32 kg/m² was conducted. Patients at moderate to severe risk of OSA were offered CPAP therapy. CPAP therapy adherence, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and type of anaesthesia were analysed.

Results:

In total, 1400 patients comprising 174 with low risk of OSA (L-OSA) and 1226 with moderate to high risk of OSA were included. Of these, 332 were started on CPAP therapy (C-OSA) while 894 declined CPAP use (R-OSA). There were 10 (0.05%) cardiac events – one (0.6%) in the L-OSA group, six (0.6%) in the R-OSA group and three (0.9%) in the C-OSA group. There were 37 (2.6%) respiratory events – 2 (1.1%) in the L-OSA group, 23 (2.6%) in the R-OSA group, and 12 (3.6%) in the C-OSA group. Multivariate analysis showed no statistical significance in CPAP therapy minimising cardiac (P = 0.147) and respiratory (P = 0.255) complications, when analysed by intention-to-treat. CPAP therapy adherence was 13.6 and 10.2% pre- and postoperatively, respectively. When analysed per protocol, none of the nine patients compliant with both pre- and postoperative CPAP therapy developed cardiopulmonary complications.

Conclusions:

Amongst patients with moderate to severe risk of OSA, those who were compliant to perioperative CPAP therapy demonstrated a reduction in cardiopulmonary complications.

Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery is defined by elevated postoperative cardiac troponin concentrations that exceed the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit of the assay and are attributable to a presumed ischemic mechanism, with or without concomitant symptoms or signs. Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery occurs in ≈20% of patients who have major inpatient surgery, and most are asymptomatic. Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery is independently and strongly associated with both short-term and long-term mortality, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, electrocardiographic changes, or imaging evidence of myocardial ischemia consistent with myocardial infarction. Consequently, surveillance of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery is warranted in patients at high risk for perioperative cardiovascular complications. This scientific statement provides diagnostic criteria and reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and prognosis of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery. This scientific statement also presents surveillance strategies and treatment approaches.

Perioperative Pulmonary Support of the Elderly

Purpose of Review

With the projected increase in the geriatric patient population, it is of the utmost importance to understand and optimize conditions in the perioperative period to ensure the best surgical outcome. Age-associated changes in respiratory physiology affect the surgical management of geriatric patients. This review focuses on perioperative pulmonary management of elderly individuals.

Recent Findings

The physiological changes associated with aging include both physical and biochemical alterations that are detrimental to pulmonary function. There is an increased prevalence of chronic lung disease such as COPD and interstitial lung disease which can predispose patients to postoperative pulmonary complications. Additionally, elderly patients, especially those with chronic lung disease, are at risk for frailty. Screening tools have been developed to evaluate risk and aid in the judicious selection of patients for surgical procedures. The concept of "prehabilitation" has been developed to best prepare patients for surgery and may be more influential in the reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications than postoperative rehabilitation. Understanding the age-associated changes in metabolism of drugs has led to dose adjustments in the intraoperative and postoperative periods, reducing respiratory depression and lung protective ventilation and minimally invasive procedures have yielded reductions in postoperative pulmonary complications.

Summary

The perioperative management of the geriatric population can be divided into three key areas: preoperative risk mitigation, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative management. Preoperative considerations include patient selection and thorough history and physical, along with smoking cessation and prehabilitation in a subset of patients. Operative aspects include careful selection of anesthetic agents, lung protective ventilation, and choice of surgical procedure. Postoperative management should focus on selective use of agents that may contribute to respiratory depression and encouragement of rehabilitation.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnea complicated with type 2 diabetes on long-term cardiovascular risks and all-cause mortality in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in elderly patients with OSA complicated with type 2 diabetes compared to patients with OSA without type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

From January 2015 to October 2017, 1113 eligible elderly patients with OSA, no history of cardiovascular, ≥60 years of age, and complete follow-up records were enrolled in this consecutive multicentre prospective cohort study. All patients had completed polysomnography (PSG) examinations. An apnoea-hypopnoea index of ≥5 events per hour recorded by polysomnography was defined as the diagnostic criterion for OSA. We collected baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, sleep parameters and follow-up outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to identify the risk of incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, components of MACE and a composite of all events. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate whether type 2 diabetes was associated with incident events.

RESULTS

A total of 266 (23.9%) patients had OSA complicated with type 2 diabetes. MACE occurred in 97 patients during the median 42-month follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated a significant relationship between type 2 diabetes and MACE (log-rank P = 0.003). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that type 2 diabetes increased the risk of MACE (HR = 1.64, 95% CI:1.08-2.47, P = 0.019), hospitalisation for unstable angina (HR = 2.11, 95% CI:1.23-3.64, P = 0.007) and a composite of all events in elderly patients with OSA (HR = 1.70, 95% CI:1.17-2.49, P = 0.007). However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, MI and hospitalisation for heart failure between patients with and without diabetes (P > 0.05). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that females (AHR = 2.46, 95% CI:1.17-5.19, P = 0.018), ≥ 70 years (AHR = 1.95, 95% CI:1.08-3.52, P = 0.027), overweight and obese (AHR = 2.04, 95% CI:1.29-3.33, P = 0.002) with mild OSA (AHR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.03-5.71, P = 0.044) were at a higher risk for MACE by diabetes.

CONCLUSION

OSA and type 2 diabetes are interrelated and synergistic with MACE, hospitalisation for unstable angina and a composite of all events development. Overweight and obese females, ≥ 70 years with mild OSA combined with type 2 diabetes presented a significantly high MACE risk.

Moderate to severe OSA screening based on support vector machine of the Chinese population faciocervical measurements dataset: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has received much attention as a risk factor for perioperative complications and 68.5% of OSA patients remain undiagnosed before surgery. Faciocervical characteristics may screen OSA for Asians due to smaller upper airways compared with Caucasians. Thus, our study aimed to explore a machine-learning model to screen moderate to severe OSA based on faciocervical and anthropometric measurements.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Data were collected from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine affiliated Ruijin Hospital between February 2019 and August 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 481 Chinese participants were included in the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME: (1) Identification of moderate to severe OSA with apnoea-hypopnoea index 15 events/hour and (2) Verification of the machine-learning model.

RESULTS

Sex-Age-Body mass index (BMI)-maximum Interincisal distance-ratio of Height to thyrosternum distance-neck Circumference-waist Circumference (SABIHC2) model was set up. The SABIHC2 model could screen moderate to severe OSA with an area under the curve (AUC)=0.832, the sensitivity of 0.916 and specificity of 0.749, and performed better than the STOP-BANG (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference, and male gender) questionnaire, which showed AUC=0.631, the sensitivity of 0.487 and specificity of 0.772. Especially for asymptomatic patients (Epworth Sleepiness Scale <10), the SABIHC2 model demonstrated better predictive ability compared with the STOP-BANG questionnaire, with AUC (0.824 vs 0.530), sensitivity (0.892 vs 0.348) and specificity (0.755 vs 0.809).

CONCLUSION

The SABIHC2 machine-learning model provides a simple and accurate assessment of moderate to severe OSA in the Chinese population, especially for those without significant daytime sleepiness.

Is obstructive sleep apnoea associated with hypoxaemia and prolonged ICU stay after type A aortic dissection repair? A retrospective study in Chinese population

Background

Although obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is prevalent among patients with aortic dissection, its prognostic impact is not yet determined in patients undergoing major vascular surgery. We aimed to investigate the association of OSA with hypoxaemia and with prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay after type A aortic dissection (TAAD) repair.

Methods

This retrospective study continuously enrolled 83 patients who underwent TAAD repair from January 1 to December 31, 2018. OSA was diagnosed by sleep test and defined as an apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥ 15/h, while an AHI of > 30/h was defined severe OSA. Hypoxaemia was defined as an oxygenation index (OI) of < 200 mmHg. Prolonged ICU stay referred to an ICU stay of > 72 h. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of postoperative OI for prolonged ICU stay. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association of OSA with hypoxaemia and prolonged ICU stay.

Results

A total of 41 (49.4%) patients were diagnosed with OSA using the sleep test. Hypoxaemia occurred postoperatively in 56 patients (67.5%). Postoperatively hypoxaemia developed mostly in patients with OSA (52.4% vs. 83.0%, p = 0.003), and particularly in those with severe OSA (52.4% vs. 90.5%, p = 0.003). The postoperative OI could fairly predict a prolonged ICU stay (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.72; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.60–0.84; p = 0.002). Severe OSA was associated with both postoperative hypoxaemia (odds ratio [OR] 6.65; 95% CI 1.56–46.26, p = 0.008) and prolonged ICU stay (OR 5.58; 95% CI 1.54–20.24, p = 0.009).

Conclusions

OSA was common in patients with TAAD. Severe OSA was associated with postoperative hypoxaemia and prolonged ICU stay following TAAD repair.

The B-APNEIC score: distilling the STOP-Bang questionnaire to identify patients at high risk for severe obstructive sleep apnoea

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is an established clinical screening tool to identify the risk of having mild, moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea using eight variables. It is unclear whether all eight variables contribute equally to the risk of clinically significant obstructive sleep apnoea. We analysed each variable for its contribution to detecting obstructive sleep apnoea; based on the results, we investigated whether the STOP-Bang questionnaire could be abbreviated to identify patients at high risk for severe obstructive sleep apnoea. We recruited patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea who were referred for overnight polysomnography. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate the association of STOP-Bang parameters with severe obstructive sleep apnoea based on clinical and polysomnography data. Regression estimates were used to select variables to create the novel B-APNEIC score. We constructed receiver operating characteristic curves for the STOP-Bang questionnaire and B-APNEIC scores to identify patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea and compared the areas under the curve using the DeLong method. Of the 275 patients enrolled, 32% (n = 88) had severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Logistic regression demonstrated that neck circumference (OR 2.20; 95%CI 1.10-4.40, p = 0.03) was the only variable independently associated with severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Observed apnoea during sleep, blood pressure and body mass index were the three next most closely trending predictors of severe obstructive sleep apnoea and were included along with neck circumference in the B-APNEIC score. Receiver operating curves demonstrated that the areas under the curve for STOP-Bang vs. B-APNEIC were comparable for identifying patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.68-0.81 vs. OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.68-0.81: p = 0.99, respectively). Our results suggest that the B-APNEIC score is a simplified adaptation of the STOP-Bang questionnaire with equivalent effectiveness in identifying patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Further studies are needed to validate and build on our findings.

Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality in Patients With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Septal Myectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) following septal myectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with obstructive HCM undergoing septal myectomy from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed. Those who had an overnight oximetry test within 6 months before myectomy were included in analysis. Oxygen desaturation index was examined continuously and also categorically (SDB [>5/h] and severe SDB [>15/h]).

RESULTS

A total of 619 of 1500 patients undergoing septal myectomy had overnight oximetry tests. Sleep-disordered breathing (oxygen desaturation index >5/h) was identified in 338 (54.6%) patients, and among those patients, 117 (18.9%) were classified as severe. Patients with SDB were older, had greater body mass index and body surface area, were more likely to have arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and had an increased E/e' ratio on Doppler echocardiography. Notably, there was no difference in preoperative resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient between patients with SDB and those with normal overnight oximetry (55 (interquartile range: 25 to 86) mm Hg versus 52 (interquartile range: 21 to 85) mm Hg; P=.29). There was no difference in age-adjusted survival among patients with normal oximetry compared with those with mild SDB (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.45 to 2.17), and severe SDB (hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI 0.42 - 2.71).

CONCLUSION

Sleep-disordered breathing is present in more than half of patients with obstructive HCM in whom septal myectomy is indicated, and is mainly associated with aging, overweight, and male sex. However, SDB does not alter survival following septal myectomy.

A Quality Improvement Project for Monitoring Surgical Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

INTRODUCTION

Patients who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at a higher risk for opioid-induced respiratory depression postoperatively. Many patients who have OSA are not given a diagnosis before undergoing surgery and may not be monitored appropriately afterward.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase the number of preoperative patients screened for OSA and improve their postoperative monitoring through a novel OSA protocol order set through the implementation of evidence-based practices.

METHODS

Screening for OSA risk is performed preoperatively using the STOP-Bang instrument. High-risk patients, as well as patients with existing OSA, are monitored postoperatively using a bundle of evidence practices to identify early respiratory compromise. If respiratory events occur, a treatment intervention will be triggered.

OUTCOME

Postintervention chart reviews demonstrated 100% of the qualifying patients had OSA screening completed before surgery. The OSA protocol was ordered in 28 of the 100 charts reviewed. Patient harm may have been avoided through the implementation of the protocol's standing order for continuous positive airway pressure, which was triggered by respiratory events.

CONCLUSION

It is important to identify these high-risk patients before surgery through preoperative screening. These patients should be monitored closely postoperatively to identify early respiratory compromise.

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Difficult Intubation: Prospective Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been found to be associated with difficult airway, although there is a paucity of prospective studies investigating thresholds of OSA severity with difficult airway outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between OSA and difficult intubation or difficult mask ventilation. We also explored the utility of the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender (STOP-Bang) score for difficult airway prediction.

METHODS

The Postoperative Vascular Complications in Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea (POSA) trial was an international prospective cohort study of surgical patients 45 years or older with one or more cardiac risk factor presenting for noncardiac surgery, with planned secondary analyses of difficult airway outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analyses tested associations between OSA severity and predictors of difficult airway with difficult intubation or difficult mask ventilation. Overall, 869 patients without prior diagnosis of OSA were screened for OSA risk with the STOP-Bang tool, underwent preoperative sleep study, and had routine perioperative care, including general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. The primary outcome analyzed was difficult intubation, and the secondary outcome was difficult mask ventilation.

RESULTS

Based on the sleep studies, 287 (33%), 324 (37%), 169 (20%), and 89 (10%) of the 869 patients had no, mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. One hundred and seventy-two (20%) had a STOP-Bang score of 0-2 (low risk), 483 (55%) had a STOP-Bang score of 3-4 (intermediate risk), and 214 (25%) had a STOP-Bang score 5-8 (high risk). The incidence of difficult intubation was 6.7% (58 of 869), and difficult mask ventilation was 3.7% (32 of 869). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that moderate OSA (odds ratio [OR] = 3.26 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.37-8.38], adjusted P = .010) and severe OSA (OR = 4.05 [95% CI, 1.51-11.36], adjusted P = .006) but not mild OSA were independently associated with difficult intubation compared to patients without OSA. Relative to scores of 0-2, STOP-Bang scores of 3-4 and 5-8 were associated with increased odds of difficult intubation (OR = 3.01 [95% CI, 1.13-10.40, adjusted P = .046] and 4.38 [95% CI, 1.46-16.36, adjusted P = .014]), respectively. OSA was not associated with difficult mask ventilation, and only increasing neck circumference was found to be associated (adjusted P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate and severe OSA were associated with difficult intubation, and increasing neck circumference was associated with difficult mask ventilation. A higher STOP-Bang score of 3 or more may be associated with difficult intubation versus STOP-Bang score of 0-2. Anesthesiologists should be vigilant for difficult intubation when managing patients suspected or diagnosed with OSA.

Influence of Different Measurements on the Ability of P-SAP and DES-OSA Scores to Detect Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Severe obstructive sleep apnea (sOSA) represents a risk factor of postoperative complications. Perioperative sleep apnea prediction (P-SAP) and DES-obstructive sleep apnea (DES-OSA) (DES being the acronym for 2 of the participating investigators and OSA for obstructive sleep apnea) scores were validated in the detection of such patients. They include the measurement of neck circumference (NC) and distance between thyroid and chin (DTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the measurement method of NC and DTC on the ability of the 2 scores to detect sOSA.

METHODS

A total of 371 preoperative patients were enrolled. For each of them, 6 combinations of P-SAP and DES-OSA scores were evaluated. We compared the results of the 6 combinations with the data extracted from the polysomnography (PSG) if available. The ability of the score to detect sOSA patients was evaluated using sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), Youden index (YI), area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the Probit model, and the Kappa coefficient of Cohen. A P < .05 was considered as significant, a Bonferroni correction was applied if needed.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy-one patients had a PSG. The Se and the Sp of the DES-OSA score, and the Sp of the P-SAP score, in their ability to detect severe OSA patients, were influenced by the measurement method of the DTC and of the NC. Nevertheless, the AUROC, the Youden index, the Probit model, and the Kappa coefficient of Cohen are not influenced by the variability of measurement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that the measurement method of NC and DTC can influence the results of the 2 scores. We conclude that a strict protocol for the measurement of NC and DTC should be applied (DTC measurement should be performed on a patient with a head in neutral position and the NC measurement should be performed at the cricoid level).

Can the complete blood count be used as a reliable screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea?

PURPOSE

Since hypoxia increases erythropoietin production and inflammation, the complete blood count (CBC) has been proposed as an inexpensive alternative for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not intermittent hypoxia and OSA severity, as measured by the mean oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), affect parameters measured by the CBC.

METHODS

This retrospective study included a total of 941 surgical patients who had a pre-operative home sleep study. The pre-operative CBC was extracted from the electronic patient records. Patients were stratified according to their AHI scores, into mild (AHI ≥ 5 - < 15), moderate (AHI ≥ 15 - < 30), and severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSA groups.

RESULTS

There were 244 patients without OSA, 294 with mild, 223 with moderate, and 180 with severe OSA. Our analysis showed that hemoglobin (P = 0.010), hematocrit (P = 0.027), and basophils (P = 0.006) showed significant changes among the different severities of OSA. For mean SpO₂, there were negative associations with body mass index (r =  - 0.287; P < 0.001), age (r =  - 0.077; P = 0.021), hemoglobin (r =  - 0.208; P < 0.001), hematocrit (r =  - 0.220; P < 0.001), red blood cells (r =  - 0.107; P = 0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (r =  - 0.159; P < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (r =  - 0.142; P < 0.001), and basophils (r =  - 0.091; P = 0.007). All analyzed parameters remained within normal clinical range. Multivariable regression identified hemoglobin, MCV, and basophils to be independent predictors of mean SpO₂ and AHI.

CONCLUSION

Hemoglobin, MCV, and basophils were independently associated with intermittent hypoxia defined by mean SpO₂ and AHI. Adding CBC parameters to other screening tools for OSA may have additional value due to its association with changes in mean SpO_2.

Identification of Sleep Medicine and Anesthesia Core Topics for Anesthesia Residency: A Modified Delphi Technique Survey

BACKGROUND

Sleep disorders affect up to 25% of the general population and are associated with increased risk of adverse perioperative events. The key sleep medicine topics that are most important for the practice of anesthesiology have not been well-defined. The objective of this study was to determine the high-priority sleep medicine topics that should be included in the education of anesthesia residents based on the insight of experts in the fields of anesthesia and sleep medicine.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey of experts in the fields of sleep medicine and anesthesia based on the Delphi technique to establish consensus on the sleep medicine topics that should be incorporated into anesthesia residency curricula. Consensus for inclusion of a topic was defined as >80% of all experts selecting "agree" or "strongly agree" on a 5-point Likert scale. Responses to the survey questions were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods and presented as percentages or weighted mean values with standard deviations (SD) for Likert scale data.

RESULTS

The topics that were found to have 100% agreement among experts were the influence of opioids and anesthetics on control of breathing and upper airway obstruction; potential interactions of wake-promoting/hypnotic medications with anesthetic agents; effects of sleep and anesthesia on upper airway patency; and anesthetic management of sleep apnea. Less than 80% agreement was found for topics on the anesthetic implications of other sleep disorders and future pathways in sleep medicine and anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify key topics of sleep medicine that can be included in the future design of anesthesia residency training curricula.

Outcomes of Sleep Apnea Surgery in Outpatient and Inpatient Settings

BACKGROUND

Upper airway surgery is an alternative treatment for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there is controversy regarding selection criteria for outpatient versus inpatient settings for these surgical procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing airway surgery in outpatient and inpatient settings based on length of stay at the facility.

METHODS

The 2011-2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement databases were used to select adult patients with a diagnosis of OSA undergoing elective airway surgery procedures. Single-level (eg, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP]) or multilevel surgery (eg, concomitant procedures on base of tongue, maxilla, palate, nose/turbinate, or tracheotomy) was identified using appropriate current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. Surgery setting was classified as outpatient (length of hospital stay = 0 days) or inpatient (length of stay ≥1 day). Propensity scores derived from logistic regression models were used to match inpatient to outpatient cases at a ratio of 1:1. Primary outcome was a composite of 30-day readmissions, reoperations, and/or postoperative complications. Outcomes between the matched groups were compared with McNemar's tests and generalized mixed linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 3208 cases were identified (1049 [32.7%] outpatient and 2159 [67.3%] inpatient). Inpatients were older, had more comorbidities, larger body mass index, and more multilevel procedures. UPPP was performed in about 96% of both inpatients and outpatients. The overall rate of composite of readmission, reoperations, and/or complications in the whole unmatched sample was 6.4% (6.8% and 5.5% in inpatients and outpatients, respectively). The propensity-matching algorithm produced a sample of 987 patients per surgical setting well balanced on available baseline characteristics. The incidence of the composite primary outcome was not significantly different between the groups (6.2% and 5.9% in inpatients and outpatients, respectively; odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}], 1.06 [0.73-1.53]; P = .77).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study found that the complications and 30-day readmission rates after airway surgery for OSA are low. There were no significant differences in the composite outcome of 30-day readmissions, reoperations, or complications between inpatient and outpatient settings. Adequately designed prospective studies are necessary to confirm the retrospective observations of this study.

Perioperative Management of the Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Review

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has reached 1 billion people worldwide, implying significant risk for the perioperative setting as patients are vulnerable to cardiopulmonary complications, critical care requirement, and unexpected death. This review summarizes main aspects and considerations for the perioperative management of OSA, a condition of public health concern. Critical determinants of perioperative risk include OSA-related changes in upper airway anatomy with augmented collapsibility, diminished capability of upper airway dilator muscles to respond to airway obstruction, disparities in hypoxemia and hypercarbia arousal thresholds, and instability of ventilatory control. Preoperative OSA screening to identify patients at increased risk has therefore been implemented in many institutions. Experts recommend that in the absence of severe symptoms or additional compounding health risks, patients may nevertheless proceed to surgery, while heightened awareness and the adjustment of postoperative care is required. Perioperative caregivers should anticipate difficult airway management in OSA and be prepared for airway complications. Anesthetic and sedative drug agents worsen upper airway collapsibility and depress central respiratory activity, while the risk for postoperative respiratory compromise is further increased with the utilization of neuromuscular blockade. Consistently, opioid analgesia has proven to be complex in OSA, as patients are particularly prone to opioid-induced respiratory depression. Moreover, basic features of OSA, including intermittent hypoxemia and repetitive sleep fragmentation, gradually precipitate a higher sensitivity to opioid analgesic potency along with an increased perception of pain. Hence, regional anesthesia by blockade of neural pathways directly at the site of surgical trauma as well as multimodal analgesia by facilitating additive and synergistic analgesic effects are both strongly supported in the literature as interventions that may reduce perioperative complication risk. Health care institutions are increasingly allocating resources, including those of postoperative enhanced monitoring, in an effort to increase patient safety. The implementation of evidence-based perioperative management strategies is however burdened by the rising prevalence of OSA, the large heterogeneity in disease severity, and the lack of evidence on the efficacy of costly perioperative measures. Screening and monitoring algorithms, as well as reliable risk predictors, are urgently needed to identify OSA patients that are truly in need of extended postoperative surveillance and care. The perioperative community is therefore challenged to develop feasible pathways and measures that can confer increased patient safety and prevent complications in patients with OSA.

Perioperative adherence to continuous positive airway pressure and its effect on postoperative nocturnal hypoxemia in obstructive sleep apnea patients: a prospective cohort study

Background

Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, the perioperative adherence rate is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the perioperative adherence rate of patients with OSA with a CPAP prescription and the effect of adherence on nocturnal oxygen saturation.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included adult surgical patients with a diagnosis of OSA with CPAP prescription undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into CPAP adherent and non-adherent groups based on duration of usage (≥ 4 h/night). Overnight oximetry was performed preoperatively and on postoperative night 1 and 2 (N1, N2). The primary outcome was adherence rate and the secondary outcome was nocturnal oxygen saturation.

Results

One hundred and thirty-two patients completed the study. CPAP adherence was 61% preoperatively, 58% on postoperative N1, and 59% on N2. Forty-nine percent were consistently CPAP adherent pre- and postoperatively. Using a linear fixed effects regression, oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was significantly improved by CPAP adherence (p = 0.0011). The interaction term CPAP x N1 was significant (p = 0.0015), suggesting that the effect of CPAP adherence varied on N1 vs preoperatively. There was no benefit of CPAP adherence on postoperative mean SpO₂, minimum SpO₂, and percentage of sleep duration with SpO₂ < 90%. Use of supplemental oxygen therapy was much lower in the CPAP adherent group vs non-adherent group (9.8% vs 46.5%, p <  0.001).

Conclusions

Among patients with a preoperative CPAP prescription, approximately 50% were consistently adherent. CPAP adherence was associated with improved preoperative ODI and the benefit was maintained on N1. These modest effects may be underestimated by a higher severity of OSA in the CPAP adherent group and a higher rate of oxygen supplementation in the non-adherent group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov registry (NCT02796846).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-021-01371-0.

Predictive performance of oximetry in detecting sleep apnea in surgical patients with cardiovascular risk factors

INTRODUCTION

In adults with cardiovascular risk factors undergoing major noncardiac surgery, unrecognized obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with postoperative cardiovascular complications. There is a need for an easy and accessible home device in predicting sleep apnea. The objective of the study is to determine the predictive performance of the overnight pulse oximetry in predicting OSA in at-risk surgical patients.

METHODS

This was a planned post-hoc analysis of multicenter prospective cohort study involving 1,218 at-risk surgical patients without prior diagnosis of sleep apnea. All patients underwent home sleep apnea testing (ApneaLink Plus, ResMed) simultaneously with pulse oximetry (PULSOX-300i, Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc). The predictive performance of the 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) versus apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were determined.

RESULTS

Of 1,218 patients, the mean age was 67.2 ± 9.2 years and body mass index (BMI) was 27.0 ± 5.3 kg/m2. The optimal cut-off for predicting moderate-to-severe and severe OSA was ODI ≥15 events/hour. For predicting moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥15), the sensitivity and specificity of ODI ≥ 15 events per hour were 88.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7-90.6) and 95.4% (95% CI, 94.2-96.4). For severe OSA (AHI ≥30), the sensitivity and specificity were 97.2% (95% CI, 92.7-99.1) and 78.8% (95% CI, 78.2-79.0). The area under the curve (AUC) for moderate-to-severe and severe OSA was 0.983 (95% CI, 0.977-0.988) and 0.979 (95% CI, 0.97-0.909) respectively.

DISCUSSION

ODI from oximetry is sensitive and specific in predicting moderate-to-severe or severe OSA in at-risk surgical population. It provides an easy, accurate, and accessible tool for at-risk surgical patients with suspected OSA.

[The role of biomarkers in the detection of the OSA syndrome. A narrative review of the literature]

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breath disorder associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease and stroke. Unfortunately, OSA is underdiagnosed.

BACKGROUND

Because of its clinical and therapeutic variability, OSA could benefit a personalized medicine approach. Diagnosis with polysomnography is expensive and access is limited. Clinical scoring systems allow screening of OSA, but many limitations exist. Because of this, biomarkers could be useful for the detection of OSA.

OUTLOOK

Biomarkers specific to OSA would allow for better mass screening and more personalized treatment of the disease. This narrative review of the literature aims to summarize the biomarkers already described for the diagnosis of OSA and clarify both their advantages and limitations in daily practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review of the literature did not actually identify an ideal biomarker even if promising research is ongoing.

The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Sleep of Critically Ill Patients

Obstructive sleep apnea is becoming increasingly prevalent in society and thus critical care practitioners need to be prepared to care for these patients in the intensive care unit. Preparation begins with equipping the critical care nurse with the knowledge necessary to provide interventions which can enhance patient outcomes and mitigate complications.

Modified STOP-Bang for predicting perioperative adverse events in the Thai population

Background

Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with adverse perioperative outcomes. The STOP-Bang questionnaire is a validated screening tool for OSA. However, its precision may vary among different populations. This study determined the association between high-risk OSA based on the modified STOP-Bang questionnaire and perioperative adverse events.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included patients undergoing elective surgery from December 2018 to February 2019. The modified STOP-Bang questionnaire includes a history of Snoring, daytime Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index > 30 kg/m², Age > 50, Neck circumference > 40 cm, and male Gender. High risk for OSA was considered as a score ≥ 3.

Results

Overall, 400 patients were included, and 18.3% of patients experienced perioperative adverse events. On the basis of modified STOP-Bang, the incidence of perioperative adverse events was 23.2 and 13.8% in patients with high risk and low risk (P-value 0.016) (Original STOP-Bang: high risk 22.5% vs. low risk 14.7%, P-value 0.043). Neither modified nor original STOP-Bang was associated with perioperative adverse events (adjusted OR 1.91 (95% CI 0.99–3.66), P-value 0.055) vs. 1.69 (95%CI, 0.89–3.21), P-value 0.106). Modified STOP-Bang ≥3 could predict the incidence of difficult ventilation, laryngoscopic view ≥3, need for oxygen therapy during discharge from postanesthetic care unit and ICU admission.

Conclusions

Neither modified nor original STOP-Bang was significantly associated with perioperative adverse events. However, a modified STOP-Bang ≥3 can help identify patients at risk of difficult airway, need for oxygen therapy, and ICU admission.

Trial registrations

This study was registered on Thai Clinical Trials Registry, identifier TCTR20181129001, registered 23 November 2018 (Prospectively registered).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-021-01347-0.

Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke After Bariatric Surgery in Patients With Morbid Obesity With or Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

[Figure: see text].

Increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in women diagnosed with endometrial or breast cancer

Background

Epidemiological studies demonstrate associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cancer incidence and mortality. The aim of this study was to measure OSA in women with breast (BC) or endometrial cancer (EC) and associations with clinico-pathological tumor variables.

Methods and findings

In a cross sectional study, women with BC (12 months) or EC (3 months) post-diagnosis were recruited from cancer clinics. We collected demographic, anthropometric data, cancer stage, grade, histopathology and history of cancer treatment and all subjects had in-laboratory polysomnography. Sleepiness was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). We compared anthropometric and polysomnographic data between cancer groups (unpaired t-tests), and assessed relationships between cancer characteristics and OSA variables (Fishers exact test). There were no significant differences between average age (BC:59.6±8.7 years(n = 50); EC:60.3±7.7 years(n = 37)), or ESS score (BC:6.4±4.4; EC 6.8±4.7; mean±SD; all p>0.2), however, BMI was higher in EC (BC: 29.7±7.9kgm^-2; EC: 34.2±8.0 kgm^-2; p<0.05). BC had longer sleep latency (BC:31.8±32minutes; EC:19.3±17.9 minutes), less Stage 3 sleep (BC:20.0±5.2%; EC:23.6±8.2%) and more REM sleep (BC:21.1±6.9%; EC: 16.6±5.7%), all p<0.05. EC had lower average awake and asleep oxygen saturation levels (BC: 95.6±1.3%; EC: 94.6±1.9% [awake]: BC: 94.8±2.1%; EC: 93.3±2.4% [asleep]; both p<0.05). Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (BC: 21.2(7.3–36.9) events/hr; EC: 15.7 (10–33.5) events/hour (median (interquartile range)) was not different p = 0.7), however, 58% and 57% of women with BC and EC respectively, had an AHI>15 events/hour. In this small sample size group, no significant associations (all p>0.1) were detected between OSA metrics and clinico-pathological tumor variables.

Conclusion

In postmenopausal women with breast or endometrial cancer there is high prevalence of OSA, with no association with specific tumor characteristics detected. Recognition of the high prevalence of OSA in women with cancer is important to recognise as it may impact on surgical risk and quality of life.

Diagnostic performance of the STOP-Bang questionnaire as a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea in different ethnic groups

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is a concise and easy screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Using modified body mass index (BMI), we assessed the diagnostic performance of the STOP-Bang questionnaire in predicting OSA in ethnically different groups of patients undergoing surgery.

METHODS

This was a multicenter prospective cohort study involving patients with cardiovascular risk factors who were undergoing major noncardiac surgery. Patients underwent home sleep apnea testing. All patients completed the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The predictive parameters of STOP-Bang scores were calculated against the apnea-hypopnea index.

RESULTS

From 4 ethnic groups 1,205 patients (666 Chinese, 161 Indian, 195 Malay, and 183 Caucasian) were included in the study. The mean BMI ranged from 25 ± 4 to 30 ± 6 kg/m² and mean age ranged from 64 ± 8 to 71 ± 10 years. For the Chinese and Indian patients, diagnostic parameters are presented using BMI threshold of 27.5 kg/m² with the area under curve to predict moderate-to-severe OSA being 0.709 (0.665-0.753) and 0.722 (0.635-0.808), respectively. For the Malay and Caucasian, diagnostic parameters are presented using BMI threshold of 35 kg/m² with the area under curve for predicting moderate-to-severe OSA being 0.645 (0.572-0.720) and 0.657 (0.578-0.736), respectively. Balancing the sensitivity and specificity, the optimal STOP-Bang thresholds for the Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Caucasian groups were determined to be 4 or greater.

CONCLUSIONS

For predicting moderate-to-severe OSA, we recommend BMI threshold of 27.5 kg/m² for Chinese and Indian patients and 35 kg/m² for Malay and Caucasian patients. The optimal STOP-Bang threshold for the Chinese, Indian, Malay and Caucasian groups is 4 or greater.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Postoperative Vascular Events in Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01494181; Identifier: NCT01494181.

Healthcare utilization after elective surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea - analysis of a nationwide data set

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea is prevalent among those undergoing elective surgery and likely introduces a risk of adverse outcomes. To understand its impact, we aimed to compare healthcare utilization in postsurgical patients with obstructive sleep apnea compared to controls matched on the surgical care environment.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case-control cohort study using a nationwide database. Among patients undergoing elective surgical procedures during 2009-2014, we compared patients with obstructive sleep apnea with those without obstructive sleep apnea. The two cohorts were matched based on age, sex, type of surgery, performing surgeon, the hospital where the procedure was performed, and various All-Patient-Refined Diagnosis-Related-Groups severity indices. The primary effect of interest was short-term healthcare utilization. We also compared long-term hospital admissions, intensive care unit admissions, emergency room visits and outpatient visits.

RESULTS

47,719 subjects and controls were matched on a 1:1 basis. As the subjects were matched, the two groups did not differ on age, percent female, and various Diagnosis-Related-Groups severity indices. The obstructive sleep apnea group had more comorbid conditions and a higher Elixhauser index. Short-term healthcare utilization measured by the length of stay and mortality related to index procedure did not increase in the sleep apnea group. In hierarchical logistical regression analysis, the presence of sleep apnea predicted higher long-term health care utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that the presence of sleep apnea was not associated with increased post elective surgical length of stay and mortality; however, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea was associated with long-term health care utilization.

CPAP Is Not Needed in Every Sleep Apnea Patient Awaiting Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are at high risk of postoperative complications following bariatric surgery. The aim of our study was to compare peri- and postoperative outcomes in OSA patients awaiting laparoscopic bariatric surgery who were prescribed CPAP treatment or not before surgery using nocturnal home oximetry and capillary blood gas measurements.

METHODS

Data on 1094 eligible patients were analyzed. In accordance with our algorithm, those with ODI < 25/h and pCO₂ < 45 mmHg (358 mild/moderate apnea and 447 non-apneic) underwent surgery without previous treatment, whereas those with an ODI ≥ 25/h (n = 289) were prescribed CPAP. We compared peri- and postoperative outcomes in treated and untreated patients.

RESULTS

Treated patients were significantly older with a higher body mass index and a higher percentage of men than non-apneic and untreated OSA. Hypertension and diabetes were significantly more prevalent in the treated and untreated OSA patients than in the non-apneic. Regarding the occurrence of cardiopulmonary complications, the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was higher in the treated patients than in the non-apneic and the untreated OSA (2.4%; 0.6 and 0.5%, p = 0.03). The slightly longer length of hospital stay seen in treated patients compared to those of other groups (2.8 ± 1.7; 2.6 ± 2.1 and 2.6 ± 1.8 days, p = 0.03) was no longer observed after adjusting for age and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no risk increase for complications following bariatric surgery in untreated patients presenting mild/moderate OSA identified by a noninvasive screening algorithm.

MicroRNAs to guide medical decision-making in obstructive sleep apnea: A review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and frequently underdiagnosed sleep disorder tightly associated with a wide range of morbidities and an elevated risk of the main causes of mortality. This condition represents a major public health concern due to its increasing worldwide prevalence and its serious pathological consequences. Current clinical guidelines support the importance of effective diagnosis and treatment of OSA and emphasize the unmet need for biomarkers to guide medical decision-making. In recent years, the noncoding transcriptome has emerged as a new opportunity for biomarker discovery. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the current understanding of noncoding RNAs, specifically microRNAs (miRNAs). Then, we carefully address the potential role of miRNAs as novel indicators for the management of both pediatric and adult OSA, highlighting their translational applicability, particularly for diagnosis and therapy allocation. Finally, we identify the gaps in the research state-of-art, discuss current methodological and conceptual limitations and propose future key steps and perspectives for the incorporation of miRNAs into routine clinical practice.

Impact of coronavirus disease-2019 on chronic respiratory disease in South Korea: an NHIS COVID-19 database cohort study

Background

The impact of underlying chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) on the risk and mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the effects of CRDs on the risk of COVID-19 and mortality among the population in South Korea.

Methods

The NHIS-COVID-19 database in South Korea was used for data extraction for this population-based cohort study. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease (ILD), lung cancer, lung disease due to external agents, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and tuberculosis of the lungs (TB) were considered CRDs. The primary endpoint was a diagnosis of COVID-19 between January 1st and June 4th, 2020; the secondary endpoint was hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The final analysis included 122,040 individuals, 7669 (6.3%) were confirmed as COVID-19 until 4 June 2020, and 251 patients with COVID-19 (3.2%) passed away during hospitalization. Among total 122,040 individuals, 36,365 individuals were diagnosed with CRD between 2015 and 2019: COPD (4488, 3.6%), asthma (33,858, 27.2%), ILD (421, 0.3%), lung cancer (769, 0.6%), lung disease due to external agents (437, 0.4%), OSA (550, 0.4%), and TB (608, 0.5%). Among the CRDs, patients either with ILD or OSA had 1.63-fold (odds ratio [OR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–2.26; P = 0.004) and 1.65-fold higher (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23–2.16; P < 0.001) incidence of COVID-19. In addition, among patients with COVID-19, the individuals with COPD and lung disease due to external agents had 1.56-fold (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06–2.2; P = 0.024) and 3.54-fold (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.70–7.38; P < 0.001) higher risk of hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with OSA and ILD might have an increased risk of COVID-19. In addition, COPD and chronic lung disease due to external agents might be associated with a higher risk of mortality among patients with COVID-19. Our results suggest that prevention and management strategies should be carefully performed.

Post-operative outcomes and anesthesia type in total hip arthroplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A retrospective analysis of the State Inpatient Databases

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate postoperative outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To evaluate trends in the use of regional anesthesia (RA) versus general anesthesia (GA) following the publication of practical guidelines. To compare postoperative outcomes according to anesthesia type.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Operating room.

PATIENTS

349,008 patients who underwent elective THA in Florida, New York, Maryland, and Kentucky between 2007 and 2014 were extracted from the State Inpatient Databases (SID), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, including 18,063 patients with OSA (5.2%).

INTERVENTIONS

No intervention.

MEASUREMENTS

The effect of OSA on postoperative outcomes was investigated using bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models. Outcomes studied included in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and post-discharge readmissions. In a population from New York only, (n = 105,838 with 5306 patients with OSA [5.0%]), we investigated the outcomes in the OSA population according to the anesthesia type. Analysis was performed overall and for each individual year.

MAIN RESULTS

The OSA prevalence increased from 1.7% in 2007 to 7.1% in 2014. In multivariable analysis, there was no effect of OSA on in-hospital mortality (aOR:0.57; 0.31-1.04). Postoperative complications, LOS, and readmission rates were all higher in patients with OSA. In patients with OSA receiving GA than those receiving RA, we found a higher rate of complications overall and pulmonary complications specifically in men and higher rate of 90-day readmission in women. Over the study period, the rate of GA use in patients with OSA increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The OSA prevalence in patients undergoing THA increased fourfold over the study period. OSA was associated with increased overall postoperative complications, LOS, and readmission, but not with in-hospital mortality. Despite the publication of guidelines favoring RA over GA, the use of GA increased over the study period.

Sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are independently associated with cardiovascular events and hospitalization for heart failure after coronary artery bypass grafting

The relative and combined effects of sleep apnea with diabetes mellitus (DM) on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remain unknown. In this secondary analysis of data from the SABOT study, 1007 patients were reclassified into four groups based on their sleep apnea and DM statuses, yielding 295, 218, 278, and 216 patients in the sleep apnea (+) DM (+), sleep apnea (+) DM (−), sleep apnea (−) DM (+), and sleep apnea (−) DM (−) groups, respectively. After a mean follow-up period of 2.1 years, the crude incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event was 18% in the sleep apnea (+) DM (+), 11% in the sleep apnea (+) DM (−), 13% in the sleep apnea (−) DM (+), and 5% in the sleep apnea (−) DM (−) groups. Using sleep apnea (−) DM (−) as the reference group, a Cox regression analysis indicated that sleep apnea (+) and DM (+) independently predicted MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–6.2; p = 0.005) and hospitalization for heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 12.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.0–52.3; p < 0.001). Sleep apnea and DM have independent effects on the prognosis of patients undergoing CABG.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identification no. NCT02701504.