Defining, Detecting and Assessment of Microstructures in Different Stages of Sleep Apnea Transients Using ECG and EEG Features in CSA and OSA Patients

Abstract

The sleep recordings of 32 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) were analyzed with signal processing and statistical methods. The aim of the present study was to analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, along with other polysomnography (PSG) outcomes, according to sleep stages, sleep apnea types, and apnea/hypopnea index, and to demonstrate their association with EEG microstructures that cannot be detected visually. Patients were classified into groups according to the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and, results were classified according to types of apnea, and the apneas that were detected during all sleep stages (N1-N2-N3 and REM). ECG and EEG signals were analyzed with time-frequency methods. Analysis was carried out during epoch at apnea (intra-apnea), epoch before apnea (pre-apnea), and epoch after apnea (post-apnea). The findings of the present study are presented as different tables in the Results and Discussion sections, and were discussed in the Conclusion section.