apnoeic

Apnoeic is an adjective relating to apnea, the temporary cessation of breathing. In medical usage, an apnoeic event refers to a pause in airflow that lasts several seconds and can be accompanied by a drop in oxygen saturation, changes in heart rate, or arousal from sleep.

Apnoea can be classified as central, obstructive, or mixed. Central apnoea results from diminished or absent respiratory effort; obstructive apnoea occurs when airflow stops despite ongoing chest movements due to airway collapse; mixed apnoea combines features of both.

Common settings for the term include sleep-disordered breathing, where apnoeic events disrupt sleep and may cause daytime symptoms, and infant care, where apnea of prematurity refers to recurrent pauses in breathing due to immature respiratory control. Apnoeic spells can occur in various medical conditions and require clinical assessment to determine cause and appropriate management.

Diagnosis and management typically involve monitoring that may include polysomnography, respiratory effort measurement, and capnography. Treatment focuses on preventing apnoeas and mitigating consequences. For obstructive apnoea, therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or other airway-support devices are common; management in infants depends on the underlying cause and level of maturity.

Etymology: apnoeic derives from Greek apnoia, meaning absence of breath, formed from a- “without” and pnoia “breath.” The spelling with "oe" reflects British English usage; American English often uses "apneic" or "apnea-related."