Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) after stroke. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL (from their commencements to April 7, 2017) for clinical studies reporting prevalence and/or severity of SDB after stroke or TIA. Only sleep apnea tests performed with full polysomnography and diagnostic devices of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine categories I–IV were included. We conducted random-effects meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017072339. Results The initial search identified 5,211 publications. Eighty-nine studies (including 7,096 patients) met inclusion criteria. Fifty-four studies were performed in the acute phase after stroke (after less than 1 month), 23 studies in the subacute phase (after 1–3 months), and 12 studies in the chronic phase (after more than 3 months). Mean apnea-hypopnea index was 26.0/h (SD 21.7–31.2). Prevalence of SDB with apnea-hypopnea index greater than 5/h and greater than 30/h was found in 71% (95% confidence interval 66.6%–74.8%) and 30% (95% confidence interval 24.4%–35.5%) of patients, respectively. Severity and prevalence of SDB were similar in all examined phases after stroke, irrespective of the type of sleep apnea test performed. Heterogeneity between studies (I²) was mostly high. Conclusion The high prevalence of SDB after stroke and TIA, which persists over time, is important in light of recent studies reporting the (1) feasibility and (2) efficacy of SDB treatment in this clinical setting.

Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in stroke patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods In a systematic literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) from 1980 to November 2016, we identified RCTs that assessed CPAP compared to standard care or sham CPAP in adult patients with stroke or TIA with SDB. Mean CPAP use, odds ratios (ORs), and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated. The prespecified outcomes were adherence to CPAP, neurologic improvement, adverse events, new vascular events, and death. Results Ten RCTs (564 participants) with CPAP as intervention were included. Two studies compared CPAP with sham CPAP; 8 compared CPAP with usual care. Mean CPAP use across the trials was 4.53 hours per night (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.97–5.08). The OR of dropping out with CPAP was 1.83 (95% CI 1.05–3.21, p = 0.033). The combined analysis of the neurofunctional scales (NIH Stroke Scale and Canadian Neurological Scale) showed an overall neurofunctional improvement with CPAP (SMD 0.5406, 95% CI 0.0263–1.0548) but with a considerable heterogeneity (I² = 78.9%, p = 0.0394) across the studies. Long-term survival was improved with CPAP in 1 trial. Conclusion CPAP use after stroke is acceptable once the treatment is tolerated. The data indicate that CPAP might be beneficial for neurologic recovery, which justifies larger RCTs.

Summary: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) appliedviadifferent interfaces is increasingly used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. One of the key factors determining the success of NIV is the choice of interface. Interface selection, fitting and handling can be challenging as NIV application can be complicated by discomfort, air leaks, skin damage or conjunctivitis. The aim of this article is to provide practical information on interface choice, technical aspects of mask fitting and prevention of mask-related problems during the acute delivery of NIV.Educational aims: To help the reader to recognise the different features of interfaces and to discuss common interface-related problems To provide practical recommendations to facilitate the choice and application of interfaces in order to reduce complications

Background: Treatment of chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis (CPS) is challenging and often requires long-term therapy with systemic corticosteroids and supplementary use of steroid-sparing agents. Objective: To examine the efficiency and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as a steroid-sparing agent in patients with CPS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with biopsy-proven pulmonary sarcoidosis, who were treated with MMF and systemic corticosteroids for >6 months between 2004 and 2010. Corticosteroid dose, pulmonary function parameters and radiological and clinical follow-up before and after treatment with MMF were assessed. Results: Ten patients received MMF for >6 months. MMF was introduced due to side effects (5/10 patients) and due to an inadequate response to prior therapy (5/10 patients). Median duration of treatment with MMF was 31 months (range 8-66). Therapeutic MMF plasma trough levels of 1-3 mg/l were reached with daily doses of 1,722 ± 440 mg MMF. Daily corticosteroid dose could be significantly reduced from 14.3 ± 13.3 to 6.5 ± 2.3 mg prednisolone during treatment. During follow-up, pulmonary function, symptoms and radiological signs improved in 4 patients, while 6 patients remained stable. Median change in FVC was +8.5 % (range -2 to 16). No severe adverse events that were related to combined immunosuppressive therapy occurred. Conclusion: This study indicates that the addition of MMF to corticosteroids is a viable and safe treatment option in CPS. MMF allows a significant reduction of maintenance corticosteroids to levels <10 mg/day while preserving a stable or improved clinical condition.

The bidirectional interaction between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and stroke has been the subject of many studies. On the one hand, different forms of SDB, and especially obstructive sleep apnea, increase the risk of stroke either directly or indirectly by influencing other known cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension and arrhythmias. On the other hand, stroke itself can cause either de novo appearance of SDB, aggravate a pre-existing SDB, or trigger a transition from one type of pathological SDB pattern into another. In this review, we discuss some aspects of this “chicken or egg” relationship.