Siebler M, Nachtmann A
Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Chest. 1993 Apr;103(4):1118-9. doi: 10.1378/chest.103.4.1118.
We have investigated cerebral blood flow velocity (CBVF) in 14 patients with marked obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during sleep. The CBFV increased during apnea, with a mean acceleration of 0.9 cm/s2, followed by a rapid decrease during snoring. The same effect was obtained by voluntary apnea in healthy subjects, showing a smaller acceleration rate (0.6 cm/s2). These results provide evidence for a normal CO2 regulation of cerebral vessels during sleep apnea and do not support the notion of cerebral hypoperfusion during sleep being a risk factor for stroke.
