Related Experiment Videos
[Right ventricle structure and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)]
Jarosław Kober1, Witold Tomkowski, Robert Pływaczewski
1Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych Klatki Piersiowej w Warszawie.
Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej
|November 3, 2004
Summary
Right ventricle dysfunction is common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly when obesity is also present. Isolated OSA rarely causes pulmonary hypertension without additional contributing factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiovascular complications.
- The impact of OSA on the right ventricle (RV), especially with co-existing obesity and systemic hypertension (SH), requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To echocardiographically assess the structure and function of the right ventricle in patients with OSA.
- To analyze RV changes in relation to obesity and/or systemic hypertension in OSA patients.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to measure RV diameter, wall thickness, and systolic thickening.
- Doppler echocardiography assessed the acceleration time of ejection into the pulmonary artery.
- 118 OSA patients were categorized based on obesity and SH status, alongside a control group.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in RV parameters were observed across various patient subgroups.
- Obesity combined with OSA and SH showed distinct RV alterations compared to other groups.
- Pulmonary hypertension at rest was infrequent in isolated OSA.
Conclusions:
- Right ventricle enlargement and functional compromise are prevalent in OSA patients, particularly those who are also obese.
- Isolated OSA is rarely a sole cause of pulmonary hypertension; additional factors are typically involved.