Dredla, Brynn K.

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is a common diagnosis associated with immediate and long-term health consequences. Due to increasing awareness, the demand for treatment with CPAP is increasing. However, CPAP compliance remains a problem, and may be improved by initial patient education targeted at common CPAP problems Methods A 10 min video depicting common CPAP related problems was created in the Mayo Clinic Florida Simulation Center using standardized patients. Newly diagnosed patients with OSA requiring CPAP were randomized into two arms: (i) the intervention arm was shown the video and received standard of care; or (ii) in the “placebo” or standard of care alone. Our standard of care includes a review of the sleep study, discussion of diagnosis and recommendation for CPAP therapy along with Mayo OSA information packet, followed by compliance visit at 3 months. Compliance is defined as >4 hours of CPAP use per night gathered from machine’s SD card. The two groups were compared for statistically significant difference in compliance at 3 months. Results 47 patients diagnosed between 10/2018-5/2019 were included in the study(21:intervention, 26:placebo). 7 (33%) and 7 (26%) patients in the intervention and the placebo came back for follow up visit (p=0.63). Among them, median CPAP usage was 362.5 min (236.0, 480.0) in intervention arm vs 351.0 min (125.0, 466.0) in placebo group and the difference was not significant. Average nightly use of >than 4 hours was 12(57.1%) in the intervention group and 17(65.4%) in placebo group. Conclusion In this group addition of an educational video to standard of care did not show benefit in CPAP compliance. There was a tendency toward greater median nightly usage. Patients receiving the video had a higher likelihood of making their follow up appointment which is pivotal, as it provides an opportunity for further intervention and enhancement of adherence. Support Mayo Clinic Jacksonville

Abstract Introduction Sleep related hypoxemia carries a broad differential diagnosis. Right-to-left shunting is a known cause of hypoxemia that is not correctable with supplemental oxygen. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an intra-cardiac shunt that results in hypoxemia and in rare instances can lead to platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS). POS is characterized by dyspnea and hypoxemia in the upright position, which improves when supine. We present a case of nocturnal hypoxemia and PFO with a unique clinical presentation consistent with reverse POS discovered on PSG. Report of Case 57-year-old male with Class I obesity and a remote diagnosis of mild sleep-disordered breathing not treated with CPAP was referred to Sleep Medicine for excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, and witnessed apneas. Polysomnography revealed basal oxygen saturation of ~88% during sleep. There was no evidence of apnea or hypopnea. Hypoxemia was not correctable with supplemental oxygen, suggestive of shunt physiology. Oxygen saturation was normal during upright exercise. Pulmonary hypertension was ruled out. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed PFO with right-to-left shunt. Overall presentation was consistent with reverse POS secondary to PFO, which will be treated with percutaneous trans-catheter closure. Conclusion This is a rare case of reverse POS secondary to PFO, with shunt physiology initially suspected during Sleep Medicine evaluation based on PSG. Reverse POS is characterized by dyspnea and hypoxemia while supine, as opposed to upright as in classic POS. The precise pathophysiology of reverse POS is unclear. This case emphasizes the need to consider reverse POS in patients with supine hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy. Such findings on PSG should prompt further workup for causes of right-to-left shunt. This diagnosis should not be overlooked, as the underlying abnormality is often correctable. In this patient, we expect hypoxemia to resolve with percutaneous trans-catheter closure of PFO.

Thunderclap headache is a sudden and severe headache that can occur after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency that requires prompt attention and hospitalization. Patients with thunderclap headache often undergo a noncontrast head computed tomography (CT) scan to ascertain SAH bleeding and, if the scan is negative, then undergo a lumbar puncture to look for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) red blood cells (RBCs), which would be consistent with an aneurysmal leak. If the initial CT is negative and CSF is positive for RBCs, patients are usually admitted to the hospital for evaluation of intracranial aneurysm. We encountered a patient with thunderclap headache whose initial head CT was negative for SAH and whose CSF tested positive for RBCs. The patient was referred to our center for evaluation and management of aneurysmal SAH. However, on careful review of the patient’s medical history, serum laboratory values, and spinal fluid values, the patient was diagnosed with Ehrlichia chaffeensis meningitis. While Ehrlichia meningitis is rare, it is important to recognize the clinical clues that could help avoid formal cerebral angiography, a costly and potentially unnecessary procedure. We present how this case represented a cognitive framing bias and anchoring heuristic as well as steps that medical providers can use to prevent such cognitive errors in diagnosis.