title: Increased aortic root size is associated with nocturnal hypoxia and diastolic blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known as a major cardiovascular risk factor, and high prevalence of OSA has been reported in patients with thoracic aortic dissection. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between OSA, its vascular consequences, and aortic root size.
  
  
  METHODS
  156 newly diagnosed apneic patients free of cardiovascular disease and medication were included. Patients underwent cardiac ultrasound for measuring aortic root diameter, polysomnography, office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and arterial stiffness evaluation by carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis, greater aortic root size was associated with older age (P = 0.03) and severity of OSA as expressed by mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO2) (P = 0.015). Moreover, greater aortic root size was associated with higher diastolic BP, measured both clinically (P = 0.0005) or by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (P = 0.02), and PWV (P = 0.03). Mean nocturnal SpO(2) was correlated with BRS (P = 0.0008), thus potentially influencing BP values and arterial stiffness. In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, diastolic BP was the only significant factor for aortic root size (P = 0.0003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In OSA patients, nocturnal hypoxemia decreased BRS and increased diastolic BP, which was the main factor influencing aortic root size.
authors: Cardiology Department, University Hospital, Grenoble, France. JPBaguet@chu-grenoble.fr
authors: Jean-Philippe
authors: JP
authors: Baguet
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Minville
authors: Renaud
authors: R
authors: Tamisier
authors: Frederic
authors: F
authors: Roche
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Barone-Rochette
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Ormezzano
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Levy
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Pepin
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D014463:Ultrasonography