Cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in children with obstructive sleep apnoea: a community based study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Childhood obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may be associated with cardiac abnormalities, but evidence is limited.
• The impact of OSA treatment on echocardiographic outcomes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess subclinical cardiac abnormalities in children with OSA.
• To evaluate the effects of OSA treatment on cardiac structure and function.

Main Methods:

• 101 children (6-13 years) underwent polysomnography (PSG) and echocardiography.
• Children were grouped by apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI): reference (<1), mild (1-5), and moderate-to-severe (>5).
• Treatments included adenotonsillectomy or nasal steroids for OSA groups.

Main Results:

• Moderate-to-severe OSA was linked to greater right ventricular (RV) systolic volume index (RVSVI), lower RV ejection fraction (RVEF), and higher RV myocardial performance index (RVMPI).
• Significant left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and remodeling were observed in moderate-to-severe OSA.
• Improvements in RVMPI, interventricular septal thickness index (IVSI), and E/e' were noted after AHI reduction.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for subclinical RV and LV dysfunction in children.
• Improving the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is associated with the reversibility of cardiac abnormalities.