[Cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome].

The activation of adrenergic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) systems observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) strongly affects functional status of the cardiovascular system. In this paper we discuss the link between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and common cardiovascular diseases such as systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, arrhythmia and ventricular hypertrophy. We also present the importance of early pharmacologic treatment in preventing cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.