What are the two required criteria to score a hypopnea with a 3% SpO2 desaturation?

To score a hypopnea, the criteria established include a specified reduction in airflow and a minimum duration for which this reduction is sustained. The correct answer underscores the requirement of a 50% reduction in airflow, which is essential to classify an event as a hypopnea, ensuring that the event is significant enough to impact ventilation.

Additionally, the duration of 10 seconds is crucial as it establishes that the event is not a transient change but rather a sustained period that can contribute to sleep-disordered breathing. Events shorter than 10 seconds may not be clinically relevant and thus fail to meet the diagnostic criteria for a hypopnea.

In summary, the combination of a 50% reduction in airflow and a minimum of 10 seconds in duration aligns with the established definitions and guidelines in sleep medicine for scoring hypopneas, making this answer correct. Understanding these criteria is vital for accurately diagnosing and managing sleep-related breathing disorders.