[Clinical analysis of syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induced acute respiratory failure].

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical characteristics of syndrome of OSA induced acute respiratory failure that might allow earlier recognition and treatment in critical care.

METHOD: The clinical and laboratory characteristics of 9 patients were reviewed.

RESULT: 9 patients (8 female, 1 male) presented with obesity and mental disturbance, with a BMI being 44.97 kg/m2, (45.25 kg/m2 in the female). The mean age of the group was 67.89 years (61-74 y). All had respiratory acidosis (mean pH 7.1732), hypercapnia (mean PaCO2 12.56 kPa) (8.53-19.09 kPa), and hypoxemia (mean PaO2 5.20 kPa) (3.87-5.87 kPa). During period of clinical stability all but 2 had awake hypercapnia (mean PaCO2 6.23 kPa) (5.10-7.29 kPa). Four of the 9 patients had pulmonary function test showing FEV1% > 70%.

CONCLUSION

OSAS induced acute respiratroy failure has a sudden onset and various presentation and can be reversed with early and proper treatment. The severity of abnormal pulmonary function was less than what would be expected to cause respiratroy failure.