Abstract
A 17-year-old man presented with daytime sleepiness, episodic attacks of sleep and probable cataplexy. His EEG showed rapid eye movements and central sawtooth waves at sleep onset, and supported the clinical impression of narcolepsy. He improved with methylphenidate but died suddenly, and had cardiomegaly, right ventricular enlargement, and pulmonary hypertension at autopsy. These findings suggested concomitant features of sleep apnea which were not evident by history or examination.
Central apneas have been frequently described in the sleep of narcoleptic patients. Few patients have had indications of obstructive or mixed apneas. This patient's course suggests that ventilation during sleep should be included in the polygraphic assessment of patients with suspected narcolepsy, as the agents used for treatment of narcolepsy may aggravate the cardiac complications of sleep apnea.
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Selected References
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