Pharyngeal aerodynamics characteristics in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of aerodynamic characteristics of pharyngeal cavity between normal subjects and OSAHS patients, and to study the nasal obstruction in the pathogenesis of the OSAHS.METHODSA total of 60 normal subjects and 60 OSAHS patients were enrolled in this study. Numerical simulation was performed to calculate the airflow dynamic indexes of three sections of pharyngeal cavity. Correlation analysis of the nasal resistance and negative pressure were studied.RESULTSThe average pharyngeal negative pressure and airflow velocity in OSAHS patients were significantly increased than that in normal subjects. The total nasal airway resistance significantly correlated with the average negative pressure of pharyngeal cavity. CONCLUSIONAirflow dynamic indexes of OSAHS patients had significant different pharyngeal aerodynamic characteristics from normal subjects. The increased average negative pressure in pharynx might contribute to the severity of pharyngeal collapse for OSAHS patients. Higher total nasal resistance might play a role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of OSAHS.