Perioperative Assessment and Risk Management in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Author Disclosure Information: Dr. Seet has disclosed that he has no financial interests in or significant relationship with any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity. Dr. Chung has disclosed that she receives funding for research from Pfizer, the ResMed Foundation, and the Respironic Foundation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical syndrome defined by repetitive partial or complete upper airway obstruction, characterized by episodes of breathing cessation during sleep lasting 10 or more seconds. The inherent pharyngeal collapsibility due to depression of pharyngeal muscle regulation during sleep and anesthesia predisposes to impaired respiration. Recurring airway obstruction causes repeated arousals and increased sympathetic output, cumulating in daytime hypersomnolence, memory loss, executive dysfunction, and other psychological disturbances.