Sleep apnea treatment after stroke (SATS) trial: is it feasible?

Sleep apnea affects more than half of patients with acute ischemic stroke and is associated with poor stroke outcome. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a randomized, sham-controlled continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial in subjects with acute ischemic stroke. Subjects identified with sleep apnea based on an apnea-hypopnea index≥5 on overnight polysomnography or portable respiratory monitoring within 7 days of onset of stroke symptoms were randomized to receive active or sham CPAP for a 3-month period.

Comparison of two headgear systems for sleep apnea treatment of stroke patients.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common condition after stroke, and it predicts poor outcomes. Unfortunately, stroke patients often do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure. We hypothesized that a 1-piece head frame headgear would be easier and quicker to use than a traditional strap headgear.

Risk of sleep apnea in orchestra members.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition with substantial health consequences. A recent randomized trial found that playing the didgeridoo improved both subjective and objective sleep measures. We undertook a cross-sectional survey of professional orchestra players to test the hypothesis that playing a wind instrument would be associated with a lower risk of OSA.

High prevalence of supine sleep in ischemic stroke patients.

Background And Purpose: Sleep apnea is very common after stroke and is associated with poor outcome. Supine sleep is known to exacerbate apneas in the general sleep apnea population. We therefore investigated the pattern of sleep positions in the acute stroke period.

Agomelatine: a preliminary review of a new antidepressant.

Agomelatine is a new antidepressant that is a potent agonist of melatonin receptors and an antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT(2C) receptor subtype. It is in late-phase trials for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Symptoms of depression significantly improved with agomelatine compared with placebo in large placebo-controlled trials, and agomelatine appears to be as efficacious in treating MDD as other antidepressants but with fewer adverse effects.