Die Analyse von Schnarchen bei Patienten mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe (OSA) anhand von Polysomnografie und LEOSound

INTRODUCTION  Snoring was monitored in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using the LEOSound-Monitor and simultaneously polysomnographic (PSG) recording. In obstructive apneas snoring is normally apparent after apnea termination and the beginning of ventilation. We wanted to know how often obstructive apneas are terminated by ventilation in combination with snoring. METHODS AND INTENTION  In 40 patients with OSA (AHI \u003e 15/h) simultaneous polysomnographic recordings were performed amongst long-term respiratory sound monitoring using the LEOSound monitor. Patients\u0027 average age was 57 ± 11 years. Average weight was 100 ± 19 kg by a mean body  mass  index (BMI) of 33 ± 7 kg/m2. 12 out of 40 recordings had to be rejected for further analysis because of artifacts. Snoring recorded by polysomnography was compared with snoring monitored by LEOSound. RESULTS  3778 obstructive apnea episodes were monitored. LEOSound identified snoring in 1921 (51,0 %), polysomnography in 2229 (58,8 %) obstructive apneas. Only in one patient there was a higher difference in snoring episodes between PSG and LEOSound. DISCUSSION  In nearly 60 % of obstructive apnea events we found snoring during apnea-terminating hyperpnoea. LEOSound is a good diagnostic tool to monitor snoring. It is necessary to clarify why only 60 % of all obstructive events/hyperpnoea develop snoring. From a pathophysiological point of view opening of collapsed upper airway should lead in a very high percentage to turbulences in airstream and committed snoring.