Endothelial function and carotid intima media thickness in obstructive sleep apnea without comorbidity

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Sleep Medicine
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to cardiovascular complications.
• Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are early markers of cardiovascular risk.
• The impact of OSA on these markers in the absence of comorbidities requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess endothelial function using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT).
• To measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.
• To evaluate these parameters in patients with moderate to severe OSA but no other comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• An observational case-control study involving 20 moderate to severe OSA patients and 20 controls.
• Endothelial function assessed via FMD and PAT.
• Carotid artery ultrasound used for CIMT measurement.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower FMD (8.3 ± 2.8% vs. 13.4 ± 4.1%, p=0.0001) and Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) (1.55 ± 0.27 vs. 2.01 ± 0.48, p=0.0007) in the OSA group.
• Significantly higher CIMT (0.54 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.48 ± 0.08 mm, p=0.049) in the OSA group.
• No significant correlation found between OSA severity indices (AHI, ODI, minimum O2 saturation) and FMD, RHI, or CIMT.

Conclusions:

• Moderate to severe OSA, even without comorbidities, significantly impairs macrovascular and microvascular endothelial function.
• Patients with moderate to severe OSA exhibit subclinical atherosclerosis, evidenced by increased CIMT.
• These findings highlight the early vascular damage associated with OSA.