nocturnal hypoxemia has various pathophysiology
- hypoxemia can occur in anyone on the steep curve of oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve1
- overnight oximetry cannot discriminate between different etiologies of hypoxemia
- use PSG to determine presence of apneas and capnography to determine presence of hypoventilation
- patients with OSA/CSA have hypoxemia from apnea (using Aa gradient to determine reason for hypoxemia, sleep disordered breathing is characterized by apnea, hyponea, hypoventilation, RERA)
- in patients with OHS, hypoxia has variety of reasons:
- hypoventilation
- presence of OSA or CSA
- change in O2 sensor from leptin and resultant central hypoventilation
- V/Q mismatch and increased deadspace ventilation2
- decreased chest wall and abdominal wall compliance causing restriction
- increased airway resistance from bronchospasm
- decreased muscle strength
- low ERV leads to VQ mismatch that's worse in supine position. Patients adapt by taking lower tidal volume with higher respiratory rate.
- in patients with COPD, there's V/Q mismatch and deadspace from air trapping and emphysema
- in patients with restrictive lung disease, there's decreased lung compliance. Hypoxia can also happen with NMS and diaphragmatic paralysis
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