CORRELATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AS CARDIOLOGIC RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Objective: The presence of hypertension is a very well stabilished risk factor for the development of future cardiovascular complications, such as AMI and stroke. Recent data suggest a strong association of arterial stiffness as a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The presence of obstructive sleep apnea has a strong association with hypertension, especially on those with resistant hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of obstructive sleep apnea and arterial stiffness as risk factors for future cardiovascular events in a population of patientes at a hypertension clinic. Design and method: We evaluated 14 patients at a private hypertension clinic using a home sleep test with a class 3 device type Resmed Apnealink Plus and an office assessment of arterial stiffness with Mobil O’Graph device and registered pulse wave velocity and Augmentation Index @75bpm. to observe the coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea and elevated pulse wave analyses, probably due to increased arterial stiffness. The data were analysed, including a subanalyses of the population according to BMI sex, and age. Results: The group consisted of 14 patients. 21,4% were female, with age ranging from 33 to 80 years old (average of 55,13 +−13). The average BMI was 28,9 +−5. 4 patients had mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 5 had moderate OSA and 5 had severe OSA. 8 patients had type 2 D. mellitus. The mean pulse wave velocity was 8,05+−1,7, ranging from 5,8 to 11,4 m/s. The mean systolic central arterial pressure was 131,2 +−15 mmHg and 84,8 +−15 mmHg for diastolic central arterial pressure. In the subgroup with severe sleep obstructive apnea, the mean pulse wave analysis was 8,52 and apneia-hipopneia index was 49,6. There was no straight relationship of elevated apneia-hipopneia index and increased pulse wave velocity, representing increased arterial stiffness, including in the subgroup of diabetec patients. Conclusions: Despite the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and increased arterial stiffness are both considered strong predictors of cardiovascular events, we found no correlation between these 2 findings in the studied population at the same time.