Hypoglossal nerve dysfunction and sleep-disordered breathing after stroke.

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study of acute ischemic stroke patients examined relationships between hypoglossal nerve conduction, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and its severity.

METHODS

Patients within 7 days of stroke underwent nocturnal respiratory monitoring with the ApneaLink device and hypoglossal nerve conduction studies.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 52 subjects (35% [95% confidence interval: 22%, 49%]) had an abnormal hypoglossal amplitude and 23 (44% [95% confidence interval: 30%, 59%]) had an abnormal hypoglossal latency. No differences were identified in hypoglossal nerve latency or amplitude between those with (n = 26) and without (n = 26) significant SDB, defined by an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15. However, hypoglossal nerve conduction latency was associated (linear regression p < 0.05) with SDB severity as reflected by the apnea-hypopnea index.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute ischemic stroke patients have a high prevalence of hypoglossal nerve dysfunction. Further studies are needed to explore whether hypoglossal nerve dysfunction may be a cause or consequence of SDB in stroke patients and whether this association can provide further insight into the pathophysiology of SDB in this population.