The Utility of Measurement of Partial Pressure of Arterial Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Monitoring in Sleep Apnea Syndrome

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Physiology Vol. 50; no. 5; pp. 141 - 146
• Main Authors: AITA, Keisuke, KADONO, Kennosuke, SHIRAGAMI, Risa, TANAKA, Takesi, HAGIYA, Masaaki, HOMMA, Toshiaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Clinical Physiology 01.12.2020
• ISSN: 0286-7052; 2435-1695
• DOI: 10.34363/jocp.50.5_141

Background: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is accompanied by decreased alveolar ventilation due to upper airway stenosis and obstruction during sleep. This in turn induces a combination of hypoxemia and hypercapnia, a state in which the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide can be used as a key index for ascertaining patient condition and clinical course under treatment. Patients with SAS are also suspected to exhibit alveolar hypoventilation when awake. To thoroughly evaluate patients in an awake state at SAS diagnosis or at the start of treatment, we non-invasively measured the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide and investigated the usefulness of this approach.　Methods: Using the TOSCA 500TM a device for measurement of partial pressure of arterial transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO2), we determined PtcCO2 and investigated its correlation with the severity of SAS on initial examination in an awake state.　Results: PtcCO2 correlated weakly but non-significantly with severity and BMI, and was maintained within normal range even in severe cases.　Conclusion: Severe SAS patients keep PtcCO2 within normal range.