Early Variations in Augmentation Index and Pulsed Wave Velocity in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Arterial Hypertension Post CPAP Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic repeated upperairway obstruction during sleep, characterized by repetitive apnea, hyperpnoea and oxygen desaturations leading to interrupted sleep, variations in blood pressure, and increased sympathetic nervous system activity [1]. The prevalence of OSA is 2–4 % in the general population [2-4]. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease) was high in OSA patients [5]. The number of OSA patients with hypertension is high (35 %) to (70 %) [6,7] and nearly 30 % of patients presenting with hypertension also have OSA [8]. OSA has been proven to be a causal factor in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction and hypertension [9]. The Noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness by the measurement of pulsed wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients [10].The Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is considered the first line treatment for OSA and can decrease the arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea [11,12]. Volume 9 Issue 2 2017