Global warming and increased sleep disordered breathing mortality, rising carbon dioxide levels are a serial pest

Abstract

Sleep disordered breathing is such a common clinical problem. We do many diagnostic polysomnograms (PSGS) each year around the world. Should we be collecting more information as part of the testing process to guide decision making? In this issue, Brillante et al. report on an intriguing retrospective study which suggests that an overnight increase in carbon dioxide levels (>7mm Hg) and evening hypoxemia (PO2 < 65mm Hg) preceding a diagnostic polysomnogram (PSG) predicted long-term mortality in sleep disordered breathing.