BACKGROUND: The degree of arterial hypoxemia during air travel in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not known. The Aerospace Medical Association considers a ground level arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) above 9.3 kPa as safe before air travel. METHODS: Fifteen subjects with untreated OSA (mean apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 43/h) and 14 with treated OSA (mean AHI on CPAP 1.9/h) completed an assessment including hypoxic challenge test (HCT). The groups had similar mean age, mean BMI and pre-treatment OSA severity. RESULTS: Four subjects, all in the untreated group and with resting PaO₂ >9.3 kPa and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) >95%, had a positive HCT (PaO₂ <6.6 kPa and/or SpO₂ <85%). The PaO₂ at the end of the HCT was significantly correlated with the minimum overnight SpO₂ (r=.754, p=.002) but not with the daytime PaO₂ and SpO₂. Using a cut off value of 65%, the minimum overnight SpO₂ had positive and negative predictive values of 57% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OSA can be an additional risk factor for developing significant arterial hypoxemia during HCT. Baseline PaO₂ and SpO₂ did not predict arterial hypoxemia during the HCT. Minimum overnight SpO₂ <65% may be used as a cut off to advise further assessment. Effective treatment of OSA seems to be the best option before air travel.
BACKGROUND: The degree of arterial hypoxemia during air travel in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not known. The Aerospace Medical Association considers a ground level arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) above 9.3 kPa as safe before air travel. METHODS: Fifteen subjects with untreated OSA (mean apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 43/h) and 14 with treated OSA (mean AHI on CPAP 1.9/h) completed an assessment including hypoxic challenge test (HCT). The groups had similar mean age, mean BMI and pre-treatment OSA severity. RESULTS: Four subjects, all in the untreated group and with resting PaO₂ >9.3 kPa and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) >95%, had a positive HCT (PaO₂ <6.6 kPa and/or SpO₂ <85%). The PaO₂ at the end of the HCT was significantly correlated with the minimum overnight SpO₂ (r=.754, p=.002) but not with the daytime PaO₂ and SpO₂. Using a cut off value of 65%, the minimum overnight SpO₂ had positive and negative predictive values of 57% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OSA can be an additional risk factor for developing significant arterial hypoxemia during HCT. Baseline PaO₂ and SpO₂ did not predict arterial hypoxemia during the HCT. Minimum overnight SpO₂ <65% may be used as a cut off to advise further assessment. Effective treatment of OSA seems to be the best option before air travel.