[Cardiac structure and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and co-prevalent arterial hypertension. Influence of CPAP therapy].
OBJECTIVE
30% of patients with arterial hypertension (AH) are supposed to have a co-prevalent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Hence, the influence of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy on cardiac structure and function was investigated in medically treated patients with AH and co-prevalent OSAS.


METHODS
In all patients AH was treated for at least 5 years. Matched pairs concerning anthropometric data, medical therapy and duration of AH, and severity of OSAS were investigated: 20 patients with untreated OSAS were compared to 20 patients with CPAP therapy for at least 6 months. Further cardiopulmonary diseases were excluded. Cardiac structure and function were assessed echocardiographically.


RESULTS
Patients under CPAP therapy had significantly better diastolic left ventricular function, a lower left ventricular mass index, and significantly less frequent signs of left ventricular (eccentric) hypertrophy than patients with untreated OSAS. Furthermore, differences were significant concerning right ventricular wall thickness and mean pulmonary artery pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
CPAP therapy positively influences left and right cardial structure and function in addition to antihypertensive medication in patients with AH and co-prevalent OSAS.
Duchna
Hans-Werner
HW
Medizinische Klinik III, Pneumologie, Allergologie, Schlaf- und Beatmungsmedizin, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Klinikum der Ruhr-Universität, Bochum. hans-werner.duchna@rub.de
Myslinski
Wojciech
W
Dichmann
Manuel
M
Rasche
Kurt
K
Schultze-Werninghaus
Gerhard
G
Orth
Maritta
M
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents