Sleep-related breathing disorders in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are frequent and may be associated with pulmonary vascular involvement.

Purpose: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) may be associated with a worse prognosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the prevalence of sleep disorders in IPF and the pathophysiological link between SRBD and IPF is unclear.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective trial, consecutive patients with stable IPF underwent polysomnography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Allows Discrimination Between Idiopathic Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonia and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mild to Moderate Stages of the Disease.

It is unclear whether there are cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters which may indicate poor prognosis in the early course of fibrosing interstitial lung disease. 27 untreated consecutive subjects (13 idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (iNSIP), 14 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); 19 male; age 69 ± 10 years) were enrolled in this observational pilot study. Subjects underwent routine pulmonary function testing and CPET.

Effect of a Heated Breathing Tube on Efficacy, Adherence and Side Effects during Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Heated breathing tubes were developed to improve heated humidification in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Objectives: We wanted to investigate the influence of a heated breathing tube on patients' satisfaction with the treatment, the rate of side effects and the adherence to treatment.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients with primarily diagnosed OSAS were treated in a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial for 12 months either with a CPAP system plus conventional heated humidifier or with a CPAP system plus heated humidifier and an integrated heated breathing tube.

Anticyclic modulated ventilation versus continuous positive airway pressure in patients with coexisting obstructive sleep apnea and Cheyne-Stokes respiration: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Although coexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) occur frequently in patients with heart diseases, optimal treatment remains unclear. Positive airway pressure (PAP) effectively treats OSA and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) has been shown to improve CSR. We compared a new treatment algorithm combining automatic continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) and ASV (anticyclic modulated ventilation, ACMV) versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Long-term auto-servoventilation or constant positive pressure in heart failure and coexisting central with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: The coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) and Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is common in patients with heart failure (HF). While CPAP improves CSA/CSR by about 50%, maximal suppression is crucial in improving clinical outcomes. Auto-servoventilation (ASV) effectively suppresses CSA/CSR in HF, but few trials have been performed in patients with coexisting OSA and CSA/CSR.

Long-term therapy with continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea: adherence, side effects and predictors of withdrawal - a 'real-life' study.

Background: Long-term adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment is essential in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to analyze treatment adherence under real-life conditions and factors associated with discontinuation of PAP therapy.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with OSAS and started on PAP therapy were contacted by telephone after a minimum of 1 year.

Evaluation of a system for transcutaneous long-term capnometry.

Background: The measurement of CO(2) partial pressure (PCO(2)) is of great importance. Former systems of transcutaneous capnometry combining the measurement of oxygen partial pressure (PO(2)) and PCO(2) had their limitations due to skin irritations caused by the heating-up of the sensor and a short application time of 4 h.

Objectives: To evaluate for the first time combined monitoring of transcutaneous PCO(2) (tcPCO(2)) and oxygen saturation applying a lower temperature (sensor temperature 42 degrees C) and a new sensor technology in healthy individuals during sleep.

Comparison of manual titration and automatic titration based on forced oscillation technique, flow and snoring in obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) requires pressure titration usually performed during attended in-hospital polysomnography. This manual titration procedure is not well standardized. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether a new automatic titration device is as effective as standard manual titration in determining constant CPAP pressure.

Comparison of automatic and continuous positive airway pressure in a night-by-night analysis: a randomized, crossover study.

Background: Long-term compliance is suboptimal in the treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Objectives: We compared the efficacy of and the adherence to automatic continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) and constant continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) based on a night-by-night analysis.

Methods: We performed a randomized, single-blind crossover study in 20 patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS.