Stroke and sleep apnoea: cause or consequence?
The relationships between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and stroke are still under discussion, but increasing evidence demonstrates that the OSAS is an independent risk factor for stroke. However, in rare cases, OSAS could be a consequence of strokes, especially if located in the brainstem. Many recent studies have found a 70 to 95% frequency of OSAS (defined by an apnoea/hypopnoea index >10) in patients with acute stroke. Age, body mass index, diabetes, and severity of stroke have been identified as independent predictors of stroke. Furthermore, the presence of OSAS in stroke patients could lead to a poor outcome. The potential mechanisms linking OSAS and stroke are probably multiple (arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, increased atherogenesis, coagulation disorders, and cerebral haemodynamic changes). Despite numerous uncertainties, OSAS should be systematically screened at the moment it is clinically suspected in patients with acute stroke. However, the optimal timing (early or differed) for treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure remains to be determined.
Neau
Jean Philippe
JP
Clinique Neurologique, CHU La Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, Cedex 05, France. jph.neau@chu-poitiers.fr
Paquereau
Joël
J
Meurice
Jean Claude
JC
Chavagnat
Jean Jacques
JJ
Gil
Roger
R
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control