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The impact of obstructive sleep apnea on aortic disease in Marfan's syndrome

Malcolm Kohler1, Alex Pitcher, Edward Blair

  • 1Sleep Disorders Center and Pulmonary Division, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Malcolm.K@bluewin.ch

Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|September 26, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may shorten aortic event-free survival in Marfan syndrome patients. Further research is needed to confirm this link between OSA and aortic events in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with life-threatening aortic dissection.
  • Preliminary evidence links obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to aortic disease in Marfan syndrome patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of OSA on the occurrence of aortic events in individuals with Marfan syndrome.

Main Methods:

  • A sleep study was conducted to diagnose OSA (defined as >5 apnea/hypopnea events per hour).
  • Aortic events were defined as surgery for aortic dilatation or death from aortic rupture.
  • Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models were used to assess event-free survival.

Main Results:

  • Of 44 Marfan syndrome patients, 15 (34.1%) had OSA. Median follow-up was 29 months.
  • Patients with OSA experienced significantly shorter event-free survival compared to those without OSA (p=0.012).
  • Univariate analysis showed an association between apnea/hypopnea events (A+H) and aortic events (HR 1.09, p=0.023), which was modified by BMI.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests a potential association between OSA and reduced aortic event-free survival in Marfan syndrome.
  • More robust studies are required to definitively establish the relationship between OSA and aortic events in this patient group.

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