Mechanism of cardiogenic PND
The blood volume is usually at its greatest at 2 am when the pulmonary venous pressure may build up to high levels.
The reduced level of consciousness during sleep permits the pulmonary venous pressure to stay above the 25 mm Hg without the patient being aware of the developing dyspnoea.
Eventually the worsening dyspnoea awakens the patient from sleep.
Reference
- Parshall MB et al; American Thoracic Society Committee on Dyspnea. An official American Thoracic Society statement: update on the mechanisms, assessment, and management of dyspnea. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Feb 15;185(4):435-52.
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