Effectiveness of a lightweight portable auto-CPAP device for the treatment of sleep apnea during high altitude stages of the Dakar Rally: a case report

Abstract

Sleep-related breathing disturbances are exacerbated at altitude in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The objective of this case report was to determine if a portable auto-CPAP device effectively treated sleep apnea across different altitudes. We report the severity of sleep apnea from 60 to 12,000 feet high in a man with severe OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index at diagnosis = 60 events/hour) during the 2017 Dakar rally over the Andes mountains. The man was equipped with a lightweight portable auto-CPAP device with a narrow window [6-8 cmH2O]. Pressures delivered and corresponding residual events were assessed at different altitudes. The 95th percentile pressure reached the maximal set pressure at the highest altitudes, and residual AHI increased from 5 events/hour to 45 events/hour at the highest altitudes. Potential mechanisms behind the development of central apnea, and optimal clinical management at altitude are discussed in the light of the findings.

Keywords

• Altitude
• Acetazolamide
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• Sleep Apnea Syndromes