Relationship between surface tension of upper airway lining liquid and upper airway collapsibility during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Lowering surface tension (γ) of upper airway lining liquid (UAL) reduces upper airway opening (anesthetized humans) and closing (anesthetized rabbits) pressures. We now hypothesize that in sleeping obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients lowering γ of UAL will enhance upper airway stability and decrease the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. Nine OSAHS patients [respiratory disturbance index (RDI): 49 ± 8 (SE) events/h, diagnostic night] participated in a two-part, one-night, polysomnography study. In the first part, upper airway closing pressures (during non-rapid eye movement sleep, Pcrit) were measured and samples of UAL (awake) were obtained before and after 2.5 ml of surfactant (Exosurf, Glaxo Smith Kline) was instilled into the posterior pharynx. The γ of UAL was determined with the use of the "pull-off" force technique. In the second part, subjects received a second application of 2.5 ml of surfactant and then slept the remainder of the night (205 ± 30 min). Instillation of surfactant decreased the γ of UAL from 60.9 ± 3.1 mN/m (control) to 45.2 ± 2.5 mN/m (surfactant group) (n = 9, P < 0.001). Pcrit decreased from 1.19 ± 1.14 cmH₂O (control) to -0.56 ± 1.15 cmH₂O (surfactant group) (n = 7, P < 0.02). Compared with the second half of diagnostic night, surfactant decreased RDI from 51 ± 8 to 35 ± 8 events/h (n = 9, P < 0.03). The fall in RDI (ARDI) correlated with the fall in γ of UAL (Δγ) (ARDI = 1.8 × Δγ, r = 0.68, P = 0.04). Hypopneas decreased ∼50% from 42 ± 8 to 20 ± 5 events/h (n = 9, P < 0.03, paired t-test). The γ of UAL measured the next morning remained low at 49.5 ± 2.7 mN/m (n = 9, P < 0.001, ANOVA, compared with control). In conclusion, instillation of surfactant reduced the γ of UAL in OSAHS patients and decreased Pcrit and the occurrence of hypopneas. Therapeutic manipulation of γ of UAL may be beneficial in reducing the severity of sleep-disordered breathing in OSAHS patients.