Mechanisms of Pharyngeal Collapse in Sleep Apnea, Study C

Sleep Apnea Clinical Trial

Official title: Mechanisms of Pharyngeal Collapse in Sleep Apnea, Study C

Status Withdrawn

Clinical Trial Summary

In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the upper airway recurrently closes during sleep. The mechanisms that lead to airway closure are not completely understood. Models to study mechanisms of airway collapse have been proposed. However, these models have not been tested in the human upper airway. Gas density and viscosity are different gas properties that influence upper airway collapse and are variables of different models. In this study, subjects will breathe gas mixtures of different densities and viscosities for brief periods of time in order to test those models.

Clinical Trial Description

Models to study mechanisms of airway collapse have been proposed. However, these models have not been tested in the human upper airway. Gas density and viscosity are different gas properties that influence upper airway collapse and are variables of different models.

In this study, subjects will breathe gas mixtures of different densities (helium and sulfur-hexafluoride) or viscosity (neon) for brief periods of time during flow-limited breaths. Flow limitation will be induced by sustained reductions of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The investigators will test some models of upper airway collapse by observing if flow while breathing different gas mixtures scales according to the differences in density and viscosity. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Apnea
• Sleep Apnea
• Sleep Apnea Syndromes

• NCT number: NCT01738022
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: December 8, 2012
• Completion date: February 7, 2017