title: [Mechanisms in the development of cardiovascular complications in obstructive sleep apnea].
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnoea may be accompanied by various cardiovascular consequences resulting from alteration of the activity of the autonomous nervous system. These changes are mediated by: a--hypoxemia developing during the apnoea, b--severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia and acidosis in postapnoea, c--powerful but ineffective ventilatory efforts causing arousal and stimulation of the cardioexcitatory and vasomotor centres. There are four main pathogenetic mechanisms implementing the cardiovascular changes: 1--Functional alteration in the conduction system and the myocardium resulting in nocturnal cardiac dysrhythmias. 2--Vasoconstriction manifesting as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, brain attacks and pulmonary or systemic hypertension. 3--Pulmonary congestion leading to cardiac or bronchial asthma or even lung oedema. 4--Neuroendocrine activation, including the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic peptide and erythropoietin, which may result in nycturia, nocturnal hypotension and diurnal hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Ustav patofyziológie a Spánkové laboratórium Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity P. J. Safárika, Tr. SNP 1, 040 66 Kosice, Slovakia. tomoriz@central.medic.upjs.sk
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tomori
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szabóová
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Donic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Donicová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tormásiová
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*