[Vascular disorders and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

The relationships between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and vascular diseases are still under discussion, but increasing evidence demonstrates that the OSAS is an independent risk factor for stroke, coronary artery diseases and hypertension. Many recent studies have found a 70 to 95 percent frequency of OSAS in patients with acute stroke. Furthermore the presence of OSAS in stroke patients could lead to a poor outcome. The potential mechanisms linking OSAS and stroke and probably multiple (arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, increased atherogenesis, coagulation disorders, and modifications of cerebral metabolism and hemodynamic). Despite numerous incertainties, OSAS should be systematically screened when it is clinically suspected in patients with acute vascular event (stroke, coronary artery diseases). However, the best time for treatment with continuous positive airway pressure remains to be determined.