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Sleep Breath 2002; 06(1): 025-026
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23153
SECOND OPINION

Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Nocturnal Desaturations in COPD: Still an Open Question?

Alberto Braghiroli
  • ``Salvatore Maugeri'' Foundation, I.R.C.C.S., Division of Respiratory Disease, Scientific Institute of Veruno, Veruno, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
26 March 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The relevance of sleep oxyhemoglobin desaturations in COPD patients is still a matter of debate. The best definition for clinical outcomes is the occurrence of episodes lasting at least 5 minutes and reaching SaO2 levels less than or equal to 85%. Focusing on longer and milder episodes (at least 30% of the night with SaO2 < 90%) did not provide clinical relevance. One possible consequence of desaturation episodes could be a worsening of pulmonary hemodynamics, but O2 dips could just be a marker of a mechanical derangement associated with a worse prognosis. Data confirming the association of these episodes with the clinical type of COPD and with inflammatory mediator modulation are still lacking.

KEYWORD

COPD - long-term oxygen therapy - sleep desaturations