We are all looking for ways to reduce bowel gas in our patients to improve our results. As the benefits of treating sleep apnea become more mainstream in society and as more individuals are relying on home CPAP therapy, I'm wondering if there is a significant impact on exam quality when we encounter a patient who sleeps with a CPAP machine. Fasting may reduce some bowel gas but a CPAP machine will result in some ingestion of air. Ironically, we try to schedule fasting exams for the morning when the effect of aerophagia would be more pronounced (trying to remain delicate in this topic).

I would appreciate it if members would ask their (gassy) patients if they used a CPAP machine the night before their exam and let me know if there is any correlations suspected. It may be worth a formal study but so far it's just a thought experiment. Thanks for any input you might share in this regard.

 

 

Steve Knight | Assistant Technical Director

Vascular Ultrasound Core Lab | VasCore Training and Education Center

Massachusetts General Hospital

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