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Article: Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Watch for High-Risk Patients
- Article from:
- AANA Journal
- Article date:
- December 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright AANA Publishing, Inc. Dec 2005. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Obstructive sleep apnea is undiagnosed in more than 80 percent of patients. Obstructive sleep apnea patients are at high risk for complications during anesthesia. As expected, these patients encounter respiratory and circulatory complications, and some patients require reintubation and a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Be wary of patients who have a history persistent snoring, sudden awakening accompanied by choking, apnea as observed by the bed partner, and excessive sleepiness during daytime. Obesity and an excessively large circumference (>44cm) neck have a positive correlation with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Check any suspected patient for limited mouth opening and/or ...