Flow velocity paradoxus and pulsus paradoxus in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Echo-Doppler monitoring was performed simultaneously with two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, polysomnography and blood pressure recording in an obstructive sleep apnea patient. Increase in tricuspid flow and decrease of mitral flow velocity was demonstrated during each diastole prior to pulsus paradoxus, while aortic flow velocity decreased with pulsus paradoxus during obstructed breathing during sleep.