[Cardiovascular diseases in nocturnal disorders of respiratory regulation]

Sleep related disorders of respiratory regulation can result, through various mechanisms, in impairment of the hemodynamics of the heart and the systemic and pulmonary circulations. The group of patients with sleep apnea has been most thoroughly investigated thus far. The patients frequently develop essential and/or pulmonary hypertension. In sleep all forms of cardiac arrhythmia may occur, and thus the patients are at high risk for nocturnal sudden cardiac death. Responsibility for most hemodynamic alterations is attributed to apnea-induced hypoxia and hypercapnia and the intrathoracic pressure fluctuations observed in obstructive apnea. However, we are still short of detailed knowledge regarding the individual pathologic mechanisms. The hemodynamic changes observed in patients with sleep related disorders of respiratory regulation lead in the long run to cardiac failure. Early diagnosis and care of these patients is therefore urgently necessary to render timely therapeutic action possible.