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Structural and functional arterial properties in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and cardiovascular comorbidities

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 22, pages 415–422 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The increased severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with a parallel increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events. Whether the increased severity of OSAS is in fact associated with impaired arterial properties has never been thoroughly studied. In patients with OSAS who carry a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors, we investigated whether the severity of OSAS is associated with deterioration in the arterial properties, independent of classical cardiovascular risk factors. In 74 consecutive patients with OSAS, we non-invasively assessed, by means of tonometry and high-resolution ultrasound: carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid diameter and plaques, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), central augmentation index (AI) and central blood pressures. The respiratory disturbance index was an independent predictor of IMT and PWV but not of carotid plaques, carotid diameter, AI or central blood pressures. Several parameters of nocturnal hypoxaemia were independently correlated with carotid IMT and PWV. In conclusion, arterial stiffening and thickening are modulated by the severity of OSAS, independently from age and cardiovascular risk factors.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Liliana Legedz for her assistance by performing part of the haemodynamic measurements. ADP was supported by a grant provided by the Hellenic Society of Cardiology. JB was supported by MC2 2003 research grant provided by Pfizer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic Center, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France

    A D Protogerou, S Czernichow, M E Safar & J Blacher

  2. Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Greece

    A D Protogerou & C Kostopoulos

  3. Department of Pneumology, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France

    J-P Laaban

  4. Second Department of Cardiology, Attikon Hospital, University of Athens, Greece

    J Lekakis

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  1. A D Protogerou
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  2. J-P Laaban
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  6. M E Safar
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  7. J Blacher
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Correspondence to A D Protogerou.

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Protogerou, A., Laaban, JP., Czernichow, S. et al. Structural and functional arterial properties in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and cardiovascular comorbidities. J Hum Hypertens 22, 415–422 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002318

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002318

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