Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020440 (hypercapnia)
 7,939 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

During the last years, medical interest has focused on sleep related diseases, especially the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and the nocturnal breathing abnormalities associated with broncho-pulmonary diseases. It now appears that SAS is far more prevalent than previously believed. In this review article we present the clinical features, the investigations and the current therapeutic methods. We also discuss the recent developments in our understanding of the SAS pathophysiology and their implications in the disease's management. Clinical importance of sleep related disorders of breathing is appreciated when one looks at some of the secondary effects including hypertension, angina pectoris, cardiac insufficiency and worsening of a broncho-pulmonary disease (hypoxemia, hypercapnia); these are associated with a high degree of morbidity. The recent advent of ambulatory screening systems allows an easier evaluation of patients at risk, such as obese or hypertensive snorers and patients with hypersomnolence; then the diagnostic polysomnographic studies can be reserved for subjects in whom home recording is abnormal. A precise and early diagnosis is important to allow the initiation of treatment such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or naso-pharyngeal surgery.
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PMID:[The sleep apnea syndrome. A general review]. 265 45

Cardiac sympathetic afferents are known to reflexly activate the cardiovascular system, leading to increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and myocardial contractile function. During myocardial ischemia, these sensory nerves also transmit the sensation of pain (angina pectoris) and cause tachyarrhythmias. The authors' laboratory has been interested in defining the mechanisms of activation of this neural system during ischemia and reperfusion. During these periods, reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals, are produced from the breakdown of purine metabolites and lead to stimulation of sympathetic (and vagal) ventricular chemosensitive nerve endings. For example, stimulation with hydrogen peroxide leads to a small reflex increase in blood pressure from the predominant sympathetic afferent activation that is reduced by simultaneous activation of cardiac vagal afferents (known to exert predominantly depressor reflexes). Central integration of these two opposing reflexes likely occurs at several regions of the brain stem, including the nucleus tractus solitarii, where neural occlusion occurs during simultaneous cardiac sympathetic and vagal-afferent stimulation. Activation of platelets also appears to play a role during myocardial ischemia, leading to local release of serotonin (5HT), which, through a 5HT3 mechanism, stimulates sympathetic afferents. Finally, regional changes in pH from lactic acid (but not hypercapnia), stimulate ventricular afferents and may activate kallikrein to increase bradykinin (BK), which, in turn, breaks down arachidonic acid to form prostaglandins. Prostaglandins sensitize cardiac sympathetic afferents to BK. Thus, stimulation of cardiac sympathetic afferents during ischemia and reperfusion and the resulting reflex events form a multifactorial process resulting from activation of a number of chemical pathways in the myocardium.
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PMID:Cardiac sympathetic afferent activation provoked by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Mechanisms and reflexes. 1145 9

Obstructive sleep apnoea may be accompanied by various cardiovascular consequences resulting from alteration of the activity of the autonomous nervous system. These changes are mediated by: a--hypoxemia developing during the apnoea, b--severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia and acidosis in postapnoea, c--powerful but ineffective ventilatory efforts causing arousal and stimulation of the cardioexcitatory and vasomotor centres. There are four main pathogenetic mechanisms implementing the cardiovascular changes: 1--Functional alteration in the conduction system and the myocardium resulting in nocturnal cardiac dysrhythmias. 2--Vasoconstriction manifesting as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, brain attacks and pulmonary or systemic hypertension. 3--Pulmonary congestion leading to cardiac or bronchial asthma or even lung oedema. 4--Neuroendocrine activation, including the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic peptide and erythropoietin, which may result in nycturia, nocturnal hypotension and diurnal hypertension.
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PMID:[Mechanisms in the development of cardiovascular complications in obstructive sleep apnea]. 1170 79