title: Cardiovascular abnormalities in sleep-disordered breathing.
abstract: The role of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the development of persistent daytime pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cor pulmonale is controversial and has not been extensively studied. In this review we discuss the physiological changes that occur during SDB in the cardiovascular system, as well as review the most recent literature examining the relationship between SDB and PH/cor pulmonale. The literature suggests that much of the PH and right heart dysfunction seen in SDB is related to concurrent obesity and underlying lung disease, although it does appear that isolated SDB (in the form of obstructive sleep apnea) may be responsible for a small but significant degree of PH. The clinical consequences of this, however, remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Brooke.G.Judd@Dartmouth.edu
authors.forename: Brooke G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Judd
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sateia