Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
Pulmonary Artery Distensibility is Worsened in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Emir Karacaglar1, Ugur Bal1, Serpil Eroglu1
1Department of Cardiology.
Background:
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) leads to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the later stages. Early determination of these conditions is very important.
Objectives:
We aimed to evaluate the correlations of pulmonary artery distensibility, right pulmonary artery fractional shortening (RPA-FS), and pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) with PH among newly diagnosed OSAS patients.
Methods:
We prospectively evaluated 34 newly diagnosed OSAS patients and 28 controls. The study subgroups were determined according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). All patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Conventional RV parameters, PAS, and RPA-FS parameters were measured.
Results:
RPA-FS was significantly lower in the OSAS group (p < 0.001) and positively correlated with tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE) (p = 0.047) and pulmonary acceleration time (PAT) (p = 0.006), and inversely correlated with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (p = 0.013), and PAS (p < 0.001). Consistent with this result, PAS was significantly worse in the patients with OSAS compared to the controls (27.1 ± 3.5 to 15.8 ± 2.7, p < 0.001), and inversely correlated with RPA-FS (p < 0.001), PAT (p = 0.001), and TAPSE (p = 0.035). PAS was positively correlated with sPAP (p = 0.001). There were statistically significant differences for both PAS and RPA-FS among the OSAS subgroups with regards to the severity of disease (p < 0.001). The correlation analyses showed a significantly positive correlation between RPA-FS and mean O2 saturation. RPA-FS was also inversely correlated with AHI. Similarly, PAS was positively correlated with AHI and arousal index.
Conclusions:
PAS and RPA-FS are worsened in patients with OSAS, and are correlated with PH and severity of OSAS.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Other Pulmonary Disorders
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...

