Frank Apnea?

I keep seeing the term "Frank Apnea" and wonder how it is different from Obstructive, Central, or Mixed.

I did search before I asked this question but was unable to find out what it meant.

I'm interested in this answer as well. I'm not sure, but I take it to mean an apnea that is by itself - not clustered or preceded by a run of flow limitations and hypopneas.

I'm not an expert on apnea terminology, but it would seem that the definition of frank could be it, such as clearly evident.

If you could provide the context where you've seen the term, that might help us figure it out for you.

Cheers,
B.

I found this on http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_57539430:
"With the advent of more widespread and sophisticated testing, it became apparent that the full clinical picture of OSAS does occur in patients who do not have frank apnea but who experience decreased airflow (hypopnea) and arousals from sleep, a set of symptoms called the obstructive apnea-hypopnea syndrome. [10]"

It would appear from that context that a "frank apnea" is one where the airway is closed off completely.

Wasn't Frank Apnea the brother of Fred Apnea, the obscure magicians from the Vaudville era known best for their daring escapes from sealed aquariums? They were billed as "The Amazing Apnea Borthers" until Fred's untimely and tragic death, at which point Frank performed alone as "The Amazing Apnea Brother", IIRC.

Actually, as far as I can tell frank apnea refers to a respiratory event where breathing has completely ceased, as opposed to a hypopnea, or flow limitation. I think it can include obstructive or central.

_z

Babette wrote:If you could provide the context where you've seen the term, that might help us figure it out for you.

Cheers,
B.

I have seen it used a number of times in this forum. I have not been able to determine the definition from the context.
Just thought that since I see it used so much, someone would know what it meant.

Here is a link to a recent one that has a statement about Frank Obstructive Apneas.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35255&p=303188&hili ... ea#p303188


Thanks,

zaquon wrote:Actually, as far as I can tell frank apnea refers to a respiratory event where breathing has completely ceased, as opposed to a hypopnea, or flow limitation. I think it can include obstructive or central.

_z

Is that not the definition of apnea?
Just trying to understand what the term "frank" means.
I seem to also recall seeing the term "frank hypopnea" somewhere, but don't remember the link offhand.

Frank had apnea?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra

think it means plain jane stand-alone obstructive apnea, complete cessation of breath.

no ifs, ands, or butts about it, or 70% reduction in flow based upon Billy Bob's interpretation of what an apnea is.

Snoredog wrote:Frank had apnea?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra

think it means plain jane stand-alone obstructive apnea, complete cessation of breath.

no ifs, ands, or butts about it, or 70% reduction in flow based upon Billy Bob's interpretation of what an apnea is.

Out of curiosity, I did a Google search on "frank apnea" and lots of patents showed up in the results. No real definition of what it is, but since one of the synonyms of "frank" is "blunt", I took it to mean something along those lines....or..."quick" or "abrupt". In my own case, they just appear on my reports and rarely with any other leading events.

Den

In the scientific literature, the adjective "frank" essentially means unmistakable or fully developed.

It's a handy term, because so often in science investigation, symptoms or results can be equivocal or so laden with confounders that one cannot judge without reservation.

Good question!


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