title: Established vascular effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea-an update.
abstract: The aim of this review was to summarize the current data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on vascular effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). There is good evidence from RCTs that CPAP lowers blood pressure (BP) to a clinically significant amount. The effect seems to be dependent on the hours of nightly CPAP usage. Data from RCTs have also proven a beneficial effect of CPAP on measures of vascular function such as endothelial function and arterial stiffness. However, there is still a lack of evidence from RCTs proving that CPAP reduces vascular events and mortality.
authors.affiliation: 1 Sleep Disorders Centre and Pulmonary Division, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland ; 2 Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, 3 Centre for Interdisciplinary Sleep Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annette Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wons
authors.affiliation: 1 Sleep Disorders Centre and Pulmonary Division, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland ; 2 Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, 3 Centre for Interdisciplinary Sleep Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohler
keywords: Obstructive sleep apoea (OSA); arterial hypertension; continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); endothelial function