Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to determine changes in sleep parameters induced by propofol using polysomnographic examination and to validate evaluation by nasofibroscopy under sedation.
METHOD
Nine subjects (3 controls/6 with OSAS) were submitted to diurnal polysomnography during 120 minutes both with and without the use of propofol. The exams were compared regarding the presence of snoring, apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation, and sleep architecture.
RESULTS
The use of propofol did not induce snoring in the control subjects, whereas 100% of the OSAS patients snored. Apnea, hypopnea and AHI did not differ significantly in the diurnal exams with and without sedation (P > 0.05). The measurements of mean and minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2) were significantly reduced during propofol sedation (P < 0.05), although the difference was not clinically important.
CONCLUSION
Sedation with propofol permits evaluation under conditions close to physiological sleep regarding the main parameters evaluated in OSAS, supporting the view that nasofibrolaryngoscopy under sedation with propofol is a promising exam for the management of this disease.