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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Atherosclerosis and obstructive sleep apnea in patients with ischemic stroke
Rainer Dziewas1, Martin Ritter, Nesrin Usta
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Munster, Munster, Germany. dziewas@uni-muenster.de
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic artery disease, even in stroke patients. Atherosclerosis was more prevalent in OSA patients, independent of other vascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for atherosclerotic artery disease.
- The relationship between OSA and atherosclerosis in stroke patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence of atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke patients with and without OSA.
- To determine if OSA is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in this population.
Main Methods:
- 214 consecutive ischemic stroke patients underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy to determine the apnea-hypopnea index.
- Duplex ultrasonography assessed carotid arteries for atherosclerotic lesions (stenosis or occlusion).
- Patients were screened for classical cerebrovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Atherosclerotic lesions were identified in 42% of patients.
- Lesions were significantly more prevalent in patients with OSA compared to those without.
- OSA remained an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in multivariate analysis, even surpassing arterial hypertension's impact.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea is confirmed as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic artery disease.
- OSA's impact on atherosclerosis may outweigh that of arterial hypertension in specific patient groups.
- Further treatment studies are needed to assess atherosclerosis markers in OSA patients.
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