Impact of sleep apnea severity on left ventricular remodelling

Sleep apnea is a common but often overlooked condition strongly associated with cardiovascular dysfunction, particularly left ventricular (LV) remodeling. This longitudinal study assessed changes in LV structure and function over time across sleep apnea severity groups defined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Serial echocardiographic evaluations revealed that moderate-to-severe sleep apnea was significantly correlated with increased LV mass index, systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Greater AHI severity and lack of treatment were linked to more progressive LV impairment. These results emphasize the need for early diagnosis and management of sleep apnea to reduce its long-term cardiac impact.