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The Effects of CPAP Withdrawal on Cerebral Vascular Reactivity and Brain Oxygenation in OSA

The Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Withdrawal on Cerebral Vascular Reactivity and Brain Oxygenation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02493673
Enrollment
49
Registered
2015-07-09
Start date
2015-06-30
Completion date
2017-12-31
Last updated
2018-04-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Sleep Apnea, Obstructive

Keywords

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Stroke, Cerebrovascular reactivity, Brain oxygenation

Brief summary

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome. Underlying mechanisms are subject of debate. A causal relationship between OSA and systemic hypertension as well as peripheral endothelial dysfunction was shown, and there is accumulating evidence from physiologic and observational studies that cerebral autoregulation is insufficient to protect the brain from the nocturnal consequences of OSA. However, there are no data from randomised controlled trials proving a causal relationship between OSA and impaired cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR). The aim of this randomised controlled trial is to study the effects of a short-term CPAP withdrawal, and thus returning OSA, on daytime CVR and brain oxygenation to establish whether there is a causal relationship between OSA and cerebral vascular damage.

Interventions

Sponsors

University of Zurich
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Objectively confirmed OSA (at the time of original diagnosis) with an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and apnoea-hypopnoea-index (AHI) of ≥20/h. * Currently an oxygen desaturation index (≥4% dips) of ≥15/h during an ambulatory nocturnal pulse oximetry performed on the last night of a four-night period off CPAP. * Treated with CPAP for more than 12 months * Device usage \>4h per night, \>80% of the last 365 days, and AHI\<10 with treatment (according to CPAP machine download data). * Age between 20 and 75 years. * Written informed consent as documented by signature.

Exclusion criteria

* Previous ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke; known cerebral aneurysm or arterio-venous malformation. * Carotid artery stenosis \> 70% * Use of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking medication, antianginal medications, triptans, selective COX-inhibitors * Unstable, untreated coronary or peripheral artery disease, severe arterial hypertension or hypotension (\>180/110 or \<90/60mmHg) * Implanted pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator * Changes in medication during the trial * Previous ventilatory failure (awake SpO2 \<93% andPaCO2\>6kPa). * Obesity hypoventilation syndrome, COPD * Previously diagnosed with Cheyne-Stokes breathing. * Current professional driver or any previous sleep related driving accidents. * Caffeine or nicotine abuse 12 hours before measurements

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR)Change from baseline in CVR after 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawalCVR measured non-invasively by blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under controlled cardiovascular reactivity stimulation during wakefulness

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Ambulatory morning blood pressureChange from baseline in ambulatory morning blood pressure after 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal
Resting heart rateChange from baseline in resting heart rate after 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal
Apnoea-hypopnoea-index (AHI)Change from baseline in AHI after 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal
Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI)Change from baseline in ODI after 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 1, 2026