Background: Patients with the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome have increased salt and water excretion at night which has been reported to be associated with an increase in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). A study was performed to determine whether any rise in plasma ANP levels was related to nocturnal hypoxaemia.
Methods: Nine patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome were studied on two nights, one breathing air and the other 28% oxygen, the order being randomised. Venous levels of ANP, aldosterone, and renin activity were measured.
Results: No decrease in plasma ANP levels on oxygen was seen, and, indeed, there was no evidence of an overnight increase in ANP levels.
Conclusion: Oxygen therapy does not diminish nocturnal plasma ANP levels in patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome.