Sleep apnea common among stroke-related brainstem injuries

Abstract: 52 (room 20BC)

2014-02-13

(Press-News.org) People whose brainstems are affected by their stroke have a significantly higher prevalence of sleep apnea than those who have stroke-related injury elsewhere in the brain, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2014.

Sleep apnea is marked by interrupted breathing during sleep and can lead to serious health problems including heart disease and stroke.

"This is the largest population-based study to address the issue of the location of the brain injury and its relationship to sleep apnea in post-stroke patients," said Devin L. Brown, M.D., M.S., lead author of the study and associate professor of neurology and associate director of the stroke program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The 355 ischemic stroke patients, average 65 years and 55 percent men, who participated in the study, were drawn from those already enrolled in the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project. Hispanics represented 59 percent of the study group; Non-Hispanic whites 35 percent; Native Americans 1 percent; and African-Americans 4 percent.

According to researchers, patients were also offered sleep apnea screening with a portable respiratory monitor and were screened about 13 days after a stroke.

Neurologists interpreted CT and MRI brain imaging scan results to determine if patients had brainstem involvement or no brainstem involvement.

Of the 11 percent of 355 stroke patients with brainstem injury, 84 percent had sleep apnea. Of those without brainstem involvement, 59 percent had sleep apnea.

"While these numbers are high, more research into the relationship between stroke and sleep apnea is needed before we recommend routine sleep apnea screening in post-stroke patients," Brown said.

In the future, Brown said her group will continue to explore the relationship between sleep apnea and stroke.

INFORMATION: Co-authors are Mollie McDermott, M.D.; Ashkan Mowia, M.D.; Ronald Chervin, M.D., M.S; Lewis Morgenstern, M.D.; Kevin Kerber, M.D.; Garnett Hegeman III, RPSGT; Melinda Smith, Dr.PH.; Nelda Garcia, B.S.; and Lynda Lisabeth, Ph.D. Author disclosures are on the abstract.

The National Institutes of Health funded the study.

Downloadable video/audio interviews, B-roll, animation and images related to this news release are on the right column of the release link at http://newsroom.heart.org/news/sleep-apnea-common-among-stroke-related-brainstem-injuries?preview=a8d9c0d360b4e0335e04c62fc5a46479. Video clips with researchers/authors of the studies will be added to the release link after embargo.

Follow news from the International Stroke Conference 2014 via Twitter: @HeartNews #ISC14.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

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Sleep apnea common among stroke-related brainstem injuries

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