Role of nocturnal fluid redistribution in the pathogenesis of sleep apnea Year One

Sleep apnea is a common respiratory disorder among heart failure (HF) patients where it increases the mortality risk. Therefore, it is important to develop new treatments for sleep apnea. We have proposed that fluid which is accumulated in the legs during day moves towards the head when lying down to sleep and accumulates in the neck or lung; which could be a major contributor to the development of sleep apnea in HF patients. Therefore, we aim to determine whether: 1) the relative degree of fluid shift into the neck and lungs at night is associated with the severity of sleep apnea; 2) the respiratory sounds recorded from the neck and lungs can be used to estimate the amount of nocturnal fluid accumulated in the neck or lungs. If so, a new approach for the therapy of sleep apnea would be to prevent fluid accumulation in the legs during the day.

Faculty Supervisor:

Geoffrey Fernie

Student:

Partner:

Sleep Apnea DX;University of Toronto

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: