[Relationship between sleep apnea and cerebral blood flow]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a common disorder with potential cerebrovascular implications.
• Understanding the impact of SAS on cerebral hemodynamics is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare cerebral blood flow (CBF) parameters in patients with and without SAS.
• To identify specific CBF alterations associated with SAS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized polysomnography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in 30 SAS patients and 32 controls.
• Assessed systolic (VS) and mean (VM) cerebral blood flow velocities, resistive index (RI), and spectral shape in major cerebral arteries.
• Ensured comparability of age, sex, and baseline diseases between groups.

Main Results:

• SAS patients demonstrated significantly lower VS and VM compared to controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).
• Higher RI in the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and increased spectral shape abnormalities were observed in the SAS group.
• VS and VM showed negative correlations with apnea index and positive correlations with SaO2.

Conclusions:

• SAS is associated with decreased cerebral blood flow velocities and abnormal spectral patterns.
• These CBF changes may compromise cerebral perfusion, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis and stroke risk in SAS patients.