Assessment of microcirculation among patients with obstructive sleep apnea after CPAP treatment.

INTRODUCTION AND

OBJECTIVE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is distinguished by recurrent partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. The prevalence of OSA worldwide is estimated at 3-24% of the general population. Patients with OSA are predisposed to having endothelial dysfunction due to different mechanisms. The aim of a study was to assess the impact of 3 -month CPAP treatment on microcirculation among patients with OSA, and to determine changes in blood pressure after implemented therapy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study included 30 patients with newly-diagnosed OSA. Microcirculation assessment was performed by Laser Doppler Flowmetry before and 3 months after implementation of CPAP therapy. Patients were also asked to perform measurements of blood pressure twice, 7 days prior to the appointment.

RESULTS

Improvement was observed in selected PORH parameters, such as AH, which was significantly increased after 3 months of treatment of CPAP (p<0.05). There was also a significant decrease in the RL/BZ parameter. Other PORH parameters did not differ significantly. Blood pressure, both diastolic and systolic, significantly decreased after therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Current study does not exactly explain the accurate mechanism underlying the changes of PORH after CPAP treatment among patients with OSA. However, it was demonstrated that 3 months adequate treatment improved endothelial function among the studied group. Assessment of microcirculation by LDF PORH protocol is a promising method, due to simplicity for the examinator, and non-invasive procedure. Due to the small study group, further investigation of microcirculation among patients with OSA should be performed, including the influence of co-morbidities and medications intake.