Electrical stimulation of the lingual musculature in obstructive sleep apnea

1996 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 643-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Schwartz ◽  
D. W. Eisele ◽  
A. Hari ◽  
R. Testerman ◽  
D. Erickson ◽  
...  

The influence of lingual muscle activity on airflow dynamics in the upper airway was examined in nine patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Muscles that retract the tongue (hyoglossus and styloglossus) and protrude the tongue (genioglossus) were selectively stimulated electrically during sleep with fine wire electrodes placed intramuscularly transorally. We confirmed that stimulation with 50 Hz and 40-microseconds pulse duration did not elicit changes in electroencephalographic patterns or heart rate or alter airflow after the stimulation burst had ceased. The highest stimulus intensity that did not arouse patients from sleep was then utilized to examine the effect of lingual muscle recruitment on airflow dynamics during steady-state periods of inspiratory airflow limitation. When applying a stimulus burst during single inspirations, maximal inspiratory airflow decreased by 239 +/- 177 ml/s (P < 0.05) during retractor stimulation, whereas maximal inspiratory airflow increased by 217 +/- 93 ml/s during protrusor stimulation (P < 0.001) compared with breaths immediately before and after the stimulated breath. When consecutive inspirations were stimulated repeatedly, protrusor stimulation decreased the frequency of obstructive breathing episodes in four patients breathing at 3.9 +/- 3.4 (SD) cmH2O nasal pressure. The findings suggest that stimulation of the lingual muscles can increase or decrease airflow depending on the specific muscles stimulated without arousing patients from sleep.

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1626-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Schwartz ◽  
P. L. Smith ◽  
R. A. Wise ◽  
I. Bankman ◽  
S. Permutt

To determine the influence of changes in nasal pressure (Pn) on airflow mechanics in the upper airway, we examined the effect of elevations in Pn on upper airway resistance and critical pressure (Pcrit) during stage I/II sleep in six patients with obstructive sleep apnea. When Pn was elevated above a Pcrit, periodic occlusions of the upper airway were eliminated and inspiratory airflow limitation was demonstrated by the finding that inspiratory airflow (VI) became maximal (VImax) and independent of fluctuations in hypopharyngeal pressure (Php) when Php fell below a specific Php (Php′). As Pn was elevated, VI vs. Php demonstrated 1) marked decreases in early and late inspiratory resistances from 75.9 +/- 34.7 and 54.6 +/- 19.0 to 8.0 +/- 1.7 and 7.6 +/- 1.6 cmH2O.l-1.s (P less than 0.05), respectively, and 2) increases in early and late inspiratory Php′ to levels that exceeded Pcrit by 3.0 +/- 0.6 and 3.1 +/- 0.7 cmH2O, respectively, at the highest level of Pn applied (P less than 0.01). This latter finding suggests that elevations in Pn result in increases in Pcrit. We suggest that elevations in Pn produce distinct alterations in upper airway resistance and collapsibility, which may influence oppositely the level of airflow through the upper airway during sleep.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankit Parekh ◽  
Korey Kam ◽  
Anna E Mullins ◽  
Bresne Castillo ◽  
Asem Berkalieva ◽  
...  

Abstract Study Objectives Determine if changes in K-complexes associated with sustained inspiratory airflow limitation (SIFL) during N2 sleep are associated with next-day vigilance and objective sleepiness. Methods Data from thirty subjects with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea who completed three in-lab polysomnograms: diagnostic, on therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and on suboptimal CPAP (4 cmH2O below optimal titrated CPAP level) were analyzed. Four 20-min psychomotor vigilance tests (PVT) were performed after each PSG, every 2 h. Changes in the proportion of spontaneous K-complexes and spectral characteristics surrounding K-complexes were evaluated for K-complexes associated with both delta (∆SWAK), alpha (∆αK) frequencies. Results Suboptimal CPAP induced SIFL (14.7 (20.9) vs 2.9 (9.2); %total sleep time, p &lt; 0.001) with a small increase in apnea–hypopnea index (AHI3A: 6.5 (7.7) vs 1.9 (2.3); p &lt; 0.01) versus optimal CPAP. K-complex density (num./min of stage N2) was higher on suboptimal CPAP (0.97 ± 0.7 vs 0.65±0.5, #/min, mean ± SD, p &lt; 0.01) above and beyond the effect of age, sex, AHI3A, and duration of SIFL. A decrease in ∆SWAK with suboptimal CPAP was associated with increased PVT lapses and explained 17% of additional variance in PVT lapses. Within-night during suboptimal CPAP K-complexes appeared to alternate between promoting sleep and as arousal surrogates. Electroencephalographic changes were not associated with objective sleepiness. Conclusions Sustained inspiratory airflow limitation is associated with altered K-complex morphology including the increased occurrence of K-complexes with bursts of alpha as arousal surrogates. These findings suggest that sustained inspiratory flow limitation may be associated with nonvisible sleep fragmentation and contribute to increased lapses in vigilance.


2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihai Mihaescu ◽  
Shanmugam Murugappan ◽  
Ephraim Gutmark ◽  
Lane F. Donnelly ◽  
Maninder Kalra

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. e23-e31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Parolin ◽  
Francesca Dassie ◽  
Luigi Alessio ◽  
Alexandra Wennberg ◽  
Marco Rossato ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by upper airway collapse requiring nocturnal ventilatory assistance. Multiple studies have investigated the relationship between acromegaly and OSA, reporting discordant results. Aim To conduct a meta-analysis on the risk for OSA in acromegaly, and in particular to assess the role of disease activity and the effect of treatments. Methods and Study Selection A search through literature databases retrieved 21 articles for a total of 24 studies (n = 734). Selected outcomes were OSA prevalence and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in studies comparing acromegalic patients with active (ACT) vs inactive (INACT) disease and pretreatment and posttreatment measures. Factors used for moderator and meta-regression analysis included the percentage of patients with severe OSA, patient sex, age, body mass index, levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, disease duration and follow-up, and therapy. Results OSA prevalence was similar in patients with acromegaly who had ACT and INACT disease (ES = −0.16; 95% CI, −0.47 to 0.15; number of studies [k] = 10; P = 0.32). In addition, AHI was similar in ACT and INACT acromegaly patients (ES = −0.03; 95% CI, −0.49 to 0.43; k = 6; P = 0.89). When AHI was compared before and after treatment in patients with acromegaly (median follow-up of 6 months), a significant improvement was observed after treatment (ES = −0.36; 95% CI, −0.49 to −0.23; k = 10; P &lt; 0.0001). In moderator analysis, the percentage of patients with severe OSA in the populations significantly influenced the difference in OSA prevalence (P = 0.038) and AHI (P = 0.04) in ACT vs INACT patients. Conclusion Prevalence of OSA and AHI is similar in ACT and INACT patients in cross-sectional studies. However, when AHI was measured longitudinally before and after treatment, a significant improvement was observed after treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jing Kang ◽  
Ming-Xian Li

Objective. To investigate the effects of high-frequency stimulation of the habenula (Hb) on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induced by stimulation of the insular cortexMethod. After OSA was induced by stimulating the insular cortex (Ic) with concentric stimulating electrodes at 100 Hz in rats, the Hb was stimulated at different frequencies (50 Hz, 120 Hz, 130 Hz, and 280 Hz). The changes of apnea events and electromyography (EMG) of the genioglossus were compared before and after stimulation of the Hb.Results. With stimulation of the Ic at 100 Hz, apnea events were successfully induced with disappearance of EMG of the genioglossus. After stimulation of the Hb at 130 Hz, apnea events disappeared with significantly increased genioglossal EMG. However, such a change failed to be found at the stimulation frequencies of 50 Hz, 120 Hz, and 280 Hz.Conclusion. Stimulation of the Hb at the frequency of 130 Hz could effectively inhibit OSA events induced by stimulation of the Ic.


1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Tsushima ◽  
J. Antila ◽  
E. Laurikainen ◽  
E. Svedström ◽  
O. Polo ◽  
...  

Purpose: to study the changes in pharyngeal behavior after laser uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (LUPPP). Material and Methods: the dynamic changes in the upper airway size were evaluated with digital fluoroscopy in 24 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before and after LUPPP and in 16 normal controls, while they were awake and breathing normally. Cephalometric measurements were also made. the patients were classified into the categories of good and poor responders by means of a static-charge-sensitive bed. Results: Following LUPPP, collapsibility at the velopharyngeal level was within the normal range in 15 of 17 good responders, but only in 2 of 7 poor responders (p=0.0086). the minimum airway size at the same level showed a similar trend. in 3 of 7 poor responders the hyoid bone was positioned more caudally than in the good responders (p=0.017). Conclusion: Digital fluoroscopy provides information on the change in upper airway behavior after LUPPP.


2003 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 1761-1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Kirkness ◽  
Melanie Madronio ◽  
Rosie Stavrinou ◽  
John R. Wheatley ◽  
Terence C. Amis

Lowering surface tension (γ) of upper airway lining liquid (UAL) reduces upper airway opening (anesthetized humans) and closing (anesthetized rabbits) pressures. We now hypothesize that in sleeping obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients lowering γ of UAL will enhance upper airway stability and decrease the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. Nine OSAHS patients [respiratory disturbance index (RDI): 49 ± 8 (SE) events/h, diagnostic night] participated in a two-part, one-night, polysomnography study. In the first part, upper airway closing pressures (during non-rapid eye movement sleep, Pcrit) were measured and samples of UAL (awake) were obtained before and after 2.5 ml of surfactant (Exosurf, Glaxo Smith Kline) was instilled into the posterior pharynx. The γ of UAL was determined with the use of the “pull-off” force technique. In the second part, subjects received a second application of 2.5 ml of surfactant and then slept the remainder of the night (205 ± 30 min). Instillation of surfactant decreased the γ of UAL from 60.9 ± 3.1 mN/m (control) to 45.2 ± 2.5 mN/m (surfactant group) ( n = 9, P < 0.001). Pcrit decreased from 1.19 ± 1.14 cmH2O (control) to -0.56 ± 1.15 cmH2O (surfactant group) ( n = 7, P < 0.02). Compared with the second half of diagnostic night, surfactant decreased RDI from 51 ± 8 to 35 ± 8 events/h ( n = 9, P < 0.03). The fall in RDI (ΔRDI) correlated with the fall in γ of UAL (Δγ) (ΔRDI = 1.8 × Δγ, r = 0.68, P = 0.04). Hypopneas decreased ∼50% from 42 ± 8 to 20 ± 5 events/h ( n = 9, P < 0.03, paired t-test). The γ of UAL measured the next morning remained low at 49.5 ± 2.7 mN/m ( n = 9, P < 0.001, ANOVA, compared with control). In conclusion, instillation of surfactant reduced the γ of UAL in OSAHS patients and decreased Pcrit and the occurrence of hypopneas. Therapeutic manipulation of γ of UAL may be beneficial in reducing the severity of sleep-disordered breathing in OSAHS patients.


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