Cerebral hemodynamic changes in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are at increased risk for cerebrovascular diseases. The underlying mechanisms remain obscure. It may occur through a reduction in cerebral vascular reactivity. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective in reducing the occurrence of apneas. We hypothesized that treatment with CPAP improves cerebral vascular reactivity.

METHODS:

This is a prospective study with OSAS patients. The apnea test (ApT) was calculated as an increase of mean artery velocity during apnea: [Artery velocity in apnea minus Resting artery velocity]/Resting artery velocity expressed as percentage. After 2 years of CPAP treatment, the test was repeated.

RESULTS:

Seventy-six patients represented the study pool. After 2 years of treatment with CPAP, we were able to conduct a reassessment in 65 patients. Of the 65 patients who finished the clinical study, 56 were men, and 9 were women, with an average age of 48.1 ± 10.4 years. There was an improvement in the ApT after CPAP treatment (30.8 ± 12.1 vs 39.8 ± 15.1; p:0.000). The values of cerebral blood flow velocities, diastolic blood pressure in apnea, and basal heart rate decreased.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cerebral vascular reactivity in OSAS patients measured by ApT improved after 2 years of CPAP.

• Authors: Pedro Enrique Jiménez Caballero, Ramón Coloma Navarro, Oscar Ayo Martín, Tomás Segura Martín
• Journal: Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung (Sleep Breath) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 1103-8 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 1522-1709 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23386369 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Flow Velocity (physiology)
• Brain (blood supply)
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hemodynamics (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Middle Cerebral Artery (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Polysomnography
• Prospective Studies
• Sleep Apnea, Obstructive (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, therapy)
• Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
• Vascular Resistance (physiology)