• The Korean Nurse
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.62-85
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• 1994

The data were analyzed by using an S. P. S. S. computerized program for mean, standard deviation, percentage and paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The increase in $PaO_2$ after hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation was highly statistically significant(p=0.041), and the increase in $PaO_2$ immediately after suctioning was not significant (p=0.752). The time of lowest $PaO_2$ was 30 seconds after the endotracheal suction. 2. The occurrance of cardiac arrhythmia after the endotracheal suction included sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, premature atrial contraction (PAC), and premature ventricular contraction (PVC). The most frequent cardiac arrhythmia was sinus tachycardia (a subjects). Sinus arrhythmia was observed in 5 subjects and continued till 10 minutes after suctioning in two of these. Sinus bradycardia occurred in only 3 subjects and among them, 1 subjects shows sinus arrythmia till 10 minutes after suctioning along. PAC was observed in only one subject and continued till five minutes after suctining along with sinus arrhythmia. PVC was observed in three subjects: it lasted for only 30 seconds after suctioning in two subjects. but continued for 10 minutes after suctioning in the third. 6 subjects manifested two kinds of Cardiac arrhythmia Three of them showed sinus tachycardia with PVC, another 2 showed sinus bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia, and the other subject showed sinus arrhythmia with PAC. 3. The increases in heart rate during the endotracheal suction immediately after and at 30 seconds after suctioning were statistically significant (p=0.005). The increase in heart rate at one minute after suctioning was also significant (p=0.023). The increase in heart rate continued until 10 minutes after the endotracheal suction, but was not statistically significant In this study, endotracheal suctioning with hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation was effective in preventing a decrease in $PaO_2$ after suctioning, but not in preventing cardiac arrhythmias. Nurses should be aware of the complications of endotracheal suctioning and do effective hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation before and after suctioning. Further research is needed to develop a efficient endotracheal suction method which will minimize complications. This study needs to be replicated with different population of patients intubatted or having a tracheostomy, specifically, patients who cardiac or pulmonary desease. The data were analyzed by using an S. P. S. S. computerized program for mean, standard deviation, percentage and paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The increase in $PaO_2$ after hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation was highly statistically significant(p=0.041), and the increase in $PaO_2$ immediately after suctioning was not significant (p=0.752). The time of lowest $PaO_2$ was 30 seconds after the endotracheal suction. 2. The occurrance of cardiac arrhythmia after the endotracheal suction included sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, premature atrial contraction (PAC), and premature ventricular contraction (PVC). The most frequent cardiac arrhythmia was sinus tachycardia (a subjects). Sinus arrhythmia was observed in 5 subjects and continued till 10 minutes after suctioning in two of these. Sinus bradycardia occurred in only 3 subjects and among them, 1 subjects shows sinus arrythmia till 10 minutes after suctioning along. PAC was observed in only one subject and continued till five minutes after suctining along with sinus arrhythmia. PVC was observed in three subjects: it lasted for only 30 seconds after suctioning in two subjects. but continued for 10 minutes after suctioning in the third. 6 subjects manifested two kinds of Cardiac arrhythmia Three of them showed sinus tachycardia with PVC, another 2 showed sinus bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia, and the other subject showed sinus arrhythmia with PAC. 3. The increases in heart rate during the endotracheal suction immediately after and at 30 seconds after suctioning were statistically significant (p=0.005). The increase in heart rate at one minute after suctioning was also significant (p=0.023). The increase in heart rate continued until 10 minutes after the endotracheal suction, but was not statistically significant In this study, endotracheal suctioning with hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation was effective in preventing a decrease in $PaO_2$ after suctioning, but not in preventing cardiac arrhythmias. Nurses should be aware of the complications of endotracheal suctioning and do effective hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation before and after suctioning. Further research is needed to develop a efficient endotracheal suction method which will minimize complications. This study needs to be replicated with different population of patients intubatted or having a tracheostomy, specifically, patients who cardiac or pulmonary desease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.422-434
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• 1980

Since 1968 up to the end of October 1980, 448 valves were replaced in 354 patients in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 238 mitral, 38 aortic, 7 tricuspid, 45 aortic with mitral, 23 tricuspid with mitral, and 3 triple valve replacement aortic mitral and tricuspid cases. Annual increase of mitral valve replacement cases and decrease of operative maortality were remarkable. Recently operative mortality of mitral valve replacement is about 5%. Sex ratio of mitral valve replacement is almost equal and there were 12 cases of pediatric patients (5%) among 238 cases, and patients under the age of 20 years were 34 (14.3%). Mitral valve replacement was done for 199 single mitral, 38 double valve and one triple valve lesions. Among 238 mitral valve replacement paients left atrial thrombus in 23(9.7%), atrial fibrillation in 132 (55.5%), and reoperation after blind mitral commissurotomy in 12(5%) cases were noted. In recent cases bioprosthetic valves, mainly lonescu-shiley valve were utilized to overcome the difficulties of postoperative late complications in anticoagnuation, especially for the rural patients and pediatric cases, in addition to the hemodynamic advantages of lonesocu valve. Among 354 patients 16 cases were congenital heart anomaly related, 5 ventricular septal defect related aortic and 4 Ebstein related tribuspid valve replacement cases. There were 2 congenital anomaly related mitral valve replacements, one for congenital mitral insufficiency of 7 years old boy and one for corrected transposition of the great vessels associated with mitral insufficiency. Among total 354 valve replacements 49 operative deaths (13.3%) were noted and in 238 mitral valve replacement 24 operative deaths occurred (10.1%). In 39 patients among 354 total valve replacements late complications were found. In 238 mitral valve replacement cases late complications were noted in 26 patients, among whom 16 cases expired. Main late complications were thrombe-embolism, subacute becteerial endocarditis, arrythmia cerebral hemorrhage due to unsatisfactory anticoagulation, and congestive heart failure in the incipient period of valve replacement were also noted. In mitral valve replacement cases long-term survival rate was 83.2% who showed marked clinical improvement. Ther were no evidences of calcification during the 2 years follow-up period for the lonescu-valve replacement cases among 19 pediatric patients. In conclusion 238 cases of mitral valve replacement were done with 24 operative deaths and 26 late complication cases among whom 16 expired. The long term survival was 83.2% of the cases. In pediatric cases in place of coumadin anticoagulation Persantin **** 75 and aspirin were administered after valve replacement. In adult cases who have difficulaties with coumadin anticoagulation and for those even with bioprosthetic heart valve replacement who needs long-term or permanent anticoagulation persantin 75 and aspirin combination regimen were administered with antisfactory results.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.395-398
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• 2011

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disorder characterized by sinus node dysfunction. Although the condition is most common in the elderly, it can occur in children including neonates and its recognition and treatment are important. The diagnosis of SSS is based on the presence of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest or exit block, combinations of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction disturbances, and atrial tachyarrhythmias documented in the Holter recordings. In most children with SSS, previous history of congenital heart malformation or cardiac surgery is noted. SSS is also seen in the children including neonates without heart disease or other contributing factors, however SSS is most often idiopathic. The treatment of SSS depends on the basic rhythm problem, but generally involves the placement of a cardiac pacemaker. We report a case of SSS in extremely low birth weight infant without congenital heart disease and suggest that the treatment system is necessary for preterm infants with SSS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2004

Decrease in cardiac function after open heart surgery is due to an ischemia induced myocardial damage during surgery, and ischemic preconditioning, a condition in which the myocardial damage does not accumulate after repeated episodes of ischemia but protects itself from damage after prolonged ischemia due to myocytes tolerating the ischemia, is known to diminish myocardial damage, which also helps the recovery of myocardium after reperfusion, and decreases incidences of arrythmia. Our study is performed to display the ischemic preconditioning and show the myocardial protective effect by applying cardioplegic solution to the heart removed from rat. Material and Method: Sprague-Dawley male rats were used, They were fixed on a modified isolated working heart model after cannulation. The reperfusion process was according to non-working and working heart methods and the working method was executed for 20 minutes in which the heart rate, aortic pressure, aortic flow and coronary flow were measured and recorded. The control group is the group which the extracted heart was fixed on the isolated working heart model, recovered by reperfusion 60 minutes after infusion and preserved in the cardioplegic solution 20 minutes after the working heart perfusion and aortic cross clamp, The thesis groups were divided into group I, which ischemic hearts that were hypoxia induced were perfused by cardioplegic solution and preserved for 60 minutes; group II, the cardioplegic solution was infused 45 seconds (II-1), 1 minutes (II-2), 3 minutes (II-3), after the ischemia induction, 20 minutes after working heart perfusion and aortic cross clamp; and group III, hearts were executed on working heart perfusion for 20 minutes and aortic cross clamp was performed for 45 seconds (III-1), 1minute (III-2), 3 minutes (III-3), reperfused for 2 minutes to recover the heart, and then aortic cross clamping was repeated for reperfusion, all the groups were compared based on hemodynamic performance after reperfusion of the heart after preservation for 60 minutes. Result: The recovery time until spontaneous heart beat was longer in groups I, II-3, III-2 and III-3 to control group (p<0.01). Group III-1 (p<0.05) had better results in terms of recovery in number of heart rates compared to control group, and recovered better compared to II-1 (p<0.05). The recovery of aortic blood pressure favored group III-1 (p<0.05) and had better outcomes compared with II-1 (p<0.01). Group III-1 also showed best results in terms of cardiac output (p<0.05) and group III-2 was better compared to II-2 (p<0.05). Group I (p<0.01) and II-3 (p<0.05) showed more cardiac edema than control group. Conclusion: When the effects of other organs are dismissed, protecting the heart by infusion of cardioplegic solution after enforcing ischemia for a short period of time before the onset of abnormal heart beats for preconditioning has a better recovery effect in the cardioplegic group with preconditioning compared to the cardioplegic solution itself. we believe that further study is needed to find a more effective method of preconditioning.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.340-354
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• 1997

Background : The stenosis of the coronary artery results in a decrease in the myocardial oxygen supply, ischemia and infarction. Jakamchotang as a drug of liquid is generally regarded to have the effect of arrythmia, palpitation from Heart disease and promoting the flow of Ki and Blood. Methods : The purpose of this experimental study is to find whether Jakamchotang is effective or not in curing ischemia in isolated perfused rat hearts and to measure the degree of its curing effect. In this study, under the Langendorff apparatus, ischemia was induced in isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts by ceasing the perfusion for 20 minites. Subjects were divided into a normal saline orally administered group(control group), an Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group (sample A), an Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group (sample B), and an Jakamchotang injection perfused group(sample C). The heart rates, left ventricular pressure, myocardial dilatation/contraction, cardiac perfusion flow and cardiac ezyme(LDH, CPK) of the four group were measured and compared in order to assess the influence of Jakamchotang on isolated perfused rat hearts recovering abillity from ischemia and infarction. results : 1. Heart rates were increased significantly in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group and Jakamchotang injection perfused group on perfusion and reperfusion(p<0.01). 2. Left ventricular pressure were increased significantly in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group and 300mg administered and Jakamchotang injection perfused group(p<0.01) in comparison with control group on perfusion, but every group did not significant on reperfusion. 3. While there were no differances in each group's abillities of myocardial dilatation, the ability of myocardial constriction of Jakamchotang 100mg administered group only on perfusion was significantly greater than that of control group(p<0.05). 4. CBF was no significant on perfusion and reperfusion in comparison with control group(N.S.) 5. LDH was not significantly decreased on perfusion, but significactly decreased in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group on reperfusion. 6. CPK was significantly decreased in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, 300mg administered and Jakamchotang injection perfused group on perfusion(p<0.01), but was not significantly in Jakamchotang 300mg administered group only on reperfusion(P<0.05) Conclusion : According to the result above, Jakamchotang have an effect to recover in the isolated perfused rat hearts. Especially, the effect of Jakamchotang in orally adminstered group is greater than that of Jakamchotang injection perfused group on preischemia. The followings are the two important results of this study: First, the effect of Jakamchotang used traditionally on heart disease was proved statistcally under the Langendorff apparatus. Second, on the basis of this study, the effect of other type medications on myocardial ischemia can be evaluted in further studies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 1994

Background : In sleep apnea syndrome, arterial oxygen saturation($SaO_2$) decreases at a variable rate and to a variable degree for a given apneic period from patient to patient, and various kinds of cardiac arrythmia are known to occur. Factors supposed to affect arterial oxygen desaturation during apnea are duration of apnea, lung voulume at which apnea occurs, and oxygen consumption rate of the subject. The lung serves as preferential oxygen source during apnea, and there have been many reports related with the influence of lung volume on $SaO_2$ during apnea, but there are few, if any, studies about the influence of oxygen consumption rate of an individual on $SaO_2$ during breath holding or about the profile of arterial oxygen resaturation after breathing resumed. Methods : To investigate the changes of $SaO_2$ and heart rate(HR) during breath holding(BH) and rebreathing(RB) and to evaluate the physiologic factors responsible for the changes, lung volume measurements, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed in 17 healthy subjects. Nasal airflow by thermistor, $SaO_2$ by pulse oxymeter and ECG tracing were recorded on Polygraph(TA 4000, Gould, U.S.A.) during voluntary BH & RB at total lung capacity(TLC), at functional residual capacity(FRC) and at residual volume(RV), respectively, for the study subjects. Each subject's basal metabolic rate(BMR) was assumed on Harris-Benedict equation. Results: The time needed for $SaO_2$ to drop 2% from the basal level during breath holding(T2%) were $70.1{\pm}14.2$ sec(mean${\pm}$standard deviation) at TLC, $44.0{\pm}11.6$ sec at FRC, and $33.2{\pm}11.1$ sec at RV(TLC vs. FRC, p<0.05; FRC vs. RV, p<0.05). On rebreathing after $SaO_2$ decreased 2%, further decrement in $SaO_2$ was observed and it was significantly greater at RV($4.3{\pm}2.1%$) than at TLC($1.4{\pm}1.0%$)(p<0.05) or at FRC($1.9{\pm}1.4%$)(p<0.05). The time required for $SaO_2$ to return to the basal level after RB(Tr) at TLC was not significantly different from those at FRC or at RV. T2% had no significant correlation either with lung volumes or with BMR respectively. On the other hand, T2% had significant correlation with TLC/BMR(r=0.693, p<0.01) and FRC/BMR (r=0.615, p<0.025) but not with RV/BMR(r=0.227, p>0.05). The differences between maximal and minimal HR(${\Delta}HR$) during the BH-RB manuever were $27.5{\pm}9.2/min$ at TLC, $26.4{\pm}14.0/min$ at RV, and $19.1{\pm}6.0/min$ at FRC which was significantly smaller than those at TLC(p<0.05) or at RV(p<0.05). The mean difference of 5 p-p intervals before and after RB were $0.8{\pm}0.10$ sec and $0.72{\pm}0.09$ sec at TLC(p<0.001), $0.82{\pm}0.11$ sec and $0.73{\pm}0.09$ sec at FRC(p<0.025), and $0.77{\pm}0.09$ sec and $0.72{\pm}0.09$ sec at RV(p<0.05). Conclusion Healthy subjects showed arterial desaturation of various rates and extent during breath holding at different lung volumes. When breath held at lung volume greater than FRC, the rate of arterial desaturation significantly correlated with lung volume/basal metabolic rate, but when breath held at RV, the rate of arterial desaturation did not correlate linearly with RV/BMR. Sinus arrythmias occurred during breath holding and rebreathing manuever irrespective of the size of the lung volume at which breath holding started, and the amount of change was smallest when breath held at FRC and the change in vagal tone induced by alteration in respiratory movement might be the major responsible factor for the sinus arrythmia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 1997

From August 1986 until June 1995, single aortic valve replacement was performed in 65 patients at the Chonnam National University Hospital. worthy-eight were male and 17 were female patients, ranging from 19 to 68 years of age(median : 43 years). The causes of the valve lesions were rheumatic in 29 patients (44.6%), bicuspid aortic valve in 6 patients (6.2%), endocarditis in 6 patients(6.2%), unknown in others. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 10 patients : repair of congenital defect in 5, pericardiectomy in 1, coronary artery bypass grafting in 1, noncoronary sinus plication in 1, Valsalva sinus aneurysmectomy in 1, subaortic membrane resection in 1 Used valves were 51. Jude-Medical valve in 42, Duromedics valve in 22, Bjork-Shiley valve in 2, Carpentier-Edward valve in 1. There were 3 hospital deaths (4.6%), and 2 late deaths (3.2%). Follow-up was 95.2% complete. The 10-year acturlal survival rate was 85.3%. Postoperative complications were low cardiac utput in 8, arrythmia in 5, valve related hemolysis in 1, cerebral infarction in 1, and gastrointestinal bleeding in 2. Reoperation was performed in 4 for surgical bleeding, in 3 for paravalvular leak. The mean improvement in New York Heart Association functional class is from 2.79 $\pm$ 0.66 preoperatively to 1.25 $\pm$ 0.49 postoperatively(p < 0.001) The change of cardiothoracic ratio from preoperative to postoperative is 0.57 $\pm$ 0.06 to 0.54 $\pm$ 0.05 (p < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction change is not significant perioperatively. There are no mechanical failures. This early and intermediate-term follow-up suggests that in adults in whom valve repair is not possible, the mechanical valve is a reliable and durable prosthesis with good hemodynamic function and a low rate of thromboembolic event.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 1986

The present study was carried out to observe the effect of triiodothyronine on heart, one of the target organ of thyroid hormone. There are many reports that tachycardia, arrythmia, and agumentation of sodium, potassium pump activity are caused in hyperthyroid animal. To examine these cardiac positive chronotropic effects on sinoatrial (SA) node and atrial muscle, hyperthyroid state was induced experimentally by the injecion of 3,3',5-1-triiodothyronine $(T_3)$ in $3{\sim}6$ month-old rabbits. Then intracellular recordings by inserting glass microelectrode into cell were obtained in SA node and atrial muscle. The results can be summarized as follows : 1) Heartbeat was increased from $169.6{\pm}28.0\;to\;264.2{\pm}18.0$ beats per minute, while body weight was decreased to 68f of the initial body weight (Day 1). 2) In experimental group, the duration of action potential at 80% repolarization was decreased from $148.0{\pm}29.1\;to\;107{\pm}13.6msec$. This suggested the increase heartbeat. 3) The firing rate in hyperthyroid group markedly reduced under the 15 mM potassium Tyrode (p<0.005). 4) In hyperthyroid group, depolarization of atrial muscle cell was lowered significantly in 15 mM (p<0.05), 20 mM (p<0.05) potassium Tyrode solution. 5) Sodium-potassium pump activities in experimental group were higher than those in control group in both SA node (p<0. 1) and atrial muscle (p<0.025). 6) In lower concentration of $MnCl_2$, the excitability of SA node in hyperthyroid group was decreased more than that in control group. Effective inhibitory dose $(ID_{50})$ as 0.6 mM in hyperthyroid statd and 1.1 mM in control group.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.106-119
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• 1988

For the relief of pain in 3 cases of whiplash syndromes (case I, II and IV) and in one of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (case III), we have carried out six intentional. total spinal blocks (TSB) which attempted two times in case I, three in case II and one in carte III whoso various symptoms were chronically unresponsive to the usual conservative treatments, and a time of cervical epidural and right suprascapular nerve block in case W whose acute symptom lasted 4 drys following the cervical injury (see fables from 1 to 9). During the 753, we have observed clinically the sequential charges of respiration, lid and pupil reflexes, body motion and consciousness. And checked the blood pressure, pulse rate and arterial Pco2. The effectiveness of those blocks has been assessed by using the Visual Analog Scale which is designed to measure the patient$\acute{s}$ subjective intensity of pain and also we have found out the sequelae following those blocks. The methods of the blocks were as the following: 1. Under the N.P.O. for 8~10 hours, the preparations of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and premedication with atropine 0.5mg at thirty minutes before the TSB, it was performed by injecting the mixture of 2% mepivacaine 10 or 15ml and normal saline 10 or 5ml through No. 23 G. spinal needle into the subarachnoid space of $C_7-T_1$ interspinous region with fully flexed neck on the lateral posture. Immediately after the injection of the local anesthetic in the lateral position, the patient$\acute{s}$ were hasten to change Trendelenburg$\acute{s}$ position in order to act the drugs cephalad and to make easy controlled respiration with oxygen. 2. The cervical epidural block was done by injecting the mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine 4ml, normal saline 4ml and triamcinolone 15mg through No. 18 G. Tuohy needle into the epidural space on the same region and posture as the above without premedication.7he suprascapular nerve block was done by injecting of 0.5% bupivacaine 3ml only into the right suprascapular fossa on the sitting posture. The results were as the following: 1. The cessation of respiration was seen within 5 minutes following the subarachnoidal injection of the above 20ml mixture in 2 to 3 minutes and then soon the consciousness began to disappear. The loss of Lid and pupil reflexes noted between 5 to 10 minutes and the size of the dilated pupils was equal between 5 to 20 minutes, but the pupil of the dependent side on tile lateral position was dilated 1 to 3 minutes earlier than that of the independent. The patients had r=ever responded to any stimulations during the TSB except their heart funtion. 2. The recovery of the TSB was as the following, firstly the ankle and lower limb of the independent side began to move slightly with in 34 to 75 minutes after the injection and then that of the dependent Secondly the neck and upper limb moved 6 to 15 minutes later than the lower limb. Thirdly the self respiration began to appear between 40 to 80 minutes from the block. The lid and pupil reacted to touch and light respectively between 40 to 80 minutes but the pupil of the independent side responded earlier than that of the depends. Lastly the consciousness recovered completely between 80 to 125 minutes from the block. 3. In the cardiopulmonary function during the TSB, the blood pressure were stable except the 210/130 tory at the and block of case I. There were bradycardias between 65 to 85 minutes in case I and II but no arrythmia on the EKG. The level of the arterial Pco2 was maintained to 43~45 torr during the TSB. 4. The effectiveness of the above blocks was no pain(0%) in case IV, and light (10~20%) in case I and II but no improvement in case III. 5. The right arm weakness has been complicated as to be Injected accidently the "COLD" local anesthetic at the End block of case I.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.404-415
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• 1998

Background: Sleep apnea syndrome, which occurs in 1~4 % of the adult population, frequently has different cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrythmia as well as sleep-wake disorder such as excessive daytime hypersomnolence or insomnia. Mortality and vascular morbidity are reported to be significantly higher in sleep apnea syndrome patients than in normal population. According to the recent studies, autonomic dysfunction as well as hypoxemia, hypercapneic acidosis, and increased respiratory effort, may playa role in the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However the cause and mechanism of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome are not well understood. We studied the existence of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and factors which influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy. Method: We used the cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy(CAN) test as a method for evaluation of autonomic neuropathy. The subjects of this study were 20 patients who diagnosed sleep apnea syndrome by polysomnography and 15 persons who were normal by polysomnography. Results: Body mass index and resting systolic blood pressure were higher in sleep apnea group than control group. Apnea index(Al), respiratory disturbance index(RDI) and snoring time percentage were significantly higher in sleep apnea group compared with control group. But there were no significant differences in saturation of oxygen and sleep efficiency in two groups. In the cardiac autonomic neuropathy test, the valsalva ratio was significantly low in sleep apnea group compared with control group but other tests had no differences between two groups. The CAN scores and corrected QT(QTc) interval were calculated significantly higher in sleep apnea group, but there were no significant correlations between CAN scores and QTc interval. There were no significant data of polysomnography to correlate to the CAN score. It meant that the autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea was affected by other multiple factors. Conclusion: The cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy test was a useful method for the evaluation of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and abnormalities of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy were observed in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However, we failed to define the factors that influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy of sleep apnea syndrome. This study warrants futher investigations in order to define the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome.