Effect of beta-blocker therapy on heart rate response in patients with hypertension and newly diagnosed untreated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background: Beta1-receptor antagonists (BBs) are commonly administered in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The reported benefits of BB use in CVD patients with concomitant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be limited by their impact on apnea-induced bradycardias. Therefore the aim of the study was to test the influence of BBs on periapneic heart rate (HR) fluctuations in hypertensive patients with newly-detected and untreated OSA.

Automated detection of sleep apnea and hypopnea events based on robust airflow envelope tracking in the presence of breathing artifacts.

The paper presents a new approach to detection of apnea/hypopnea events, in the presence of artifacts and breathing irregularities, from a single-channel airflow record. The proposed algorithm, based on a robust envelope detector, identifies segments of signal affected by a high amplitude modulation corresponding to apnea/hypopnea events. It is shown that a robust airflow envelope-free of breathing artifacts-improves effectiveness of the diagnostic process and allows one to localize the beginning and the end of each episode more accurately.

Intima-media thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea without comorbidities.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular events. The early stages of vascular complications can be visualized by means of ultrasound. Intima-media thickness (IMT) correlates with the presence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco smoking, or hyperlipidemia.

[Isolated sarcoidosis of upper respiratory tract--a description of 2 cases].

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. In sarcoidosis almost all organs can be involved but the disease most often affects the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. Isolated extrapulmonary organs involvement occurs very seldom.

[The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with COPD].

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization and disability among lung diseases. Its chronic, progressive nature and acute exacerbations influence the quality and expectancy of life of COPD patients. The pulmonary rehabilitation is a basic non-pharmacological intervention in COPD and its role is increasing in recent years.