Effect of sedative-hypnotics, anesthetics and analgesics on sleep architecture in obstructive sleep apnea

Dan M. McEntire, Daniel R. Kirkpatrick, Mitchell J. Kerfeld, Zakary J. Hambsch, Mark D. Reisbig, Devendra K. Agrawal, Charles F. Youngblood

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The perioperative care of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients is currently receiving much attention due to an increased risk for complications. It is established that postoperative changes in sleep architecture occur and this may have pathophysiological implications for OSA patients. Upper airway muscle activity decreases during rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). Severe OSA patients exhibit exaggerated chemoreceptor-driven ventilation during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), which leads to central and obstructive apnea. This article critically reviewed the literature relevant to preoperative screening for OSA, prevalence of OSA in surgical populations and changes in postoperative sleep architecture relevant to OSA patients. In particular, we addressed three questions in regard to the effects of sedative-hypnotics, anesthetics and analgesics on sleep architecture, the underlying mechanisms and the relevance to OSA. Indeed, these classes of drugs alter sleep architecture, which likely significantly contributes to abnormal postoperative sleep architecture, exacerbation of OSA and postoperative complications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)787-806
Number of pages20
JournalExpert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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