Deep learning applied to polysomnography to predict blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation: a proof-of-concept study

Abstract

Study objectives: Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) profile shows characteristic abnormalities in OSA, namely acute postapnea BP surges and nondipping BP. These abnormal BP profiles provide prognostic clues indicating increased cardiovascular disease risk. We developed a deep neural network model to perform computerized analysis of polysomnography data and predict nocturnal BP profile.

Methods: We analyzed concurrently performed polysomnography and noninvasive beat-to-beat BP measurement with a deep neural network model to predict nocturnal BP profiles from polysomnography data in 13 patients with severe OSA.

Results: A good correlation was noted between measured and predicted postapnea systolic and diastolic BP (Pearson r ≥ .75). Moreover, Bland-Altman analyses showed good agreement between the 2 values. Continuous systolic and diastolic BP prediction by the deep neural network model was also well correlated with measured BP values (Pearson r ≥ .83).

Conclusions: We developed a deep neural network model to predict nocturnal BP profile from clinical polysomnography signals and provide a potential prognostic tool in OSA. Validation of the model in larger samples and examination of its utility in predicting CVD risk in future studies is warranted.

Keywords: OSA; blood pressure; deep neural network.