High-Intensity Atorvastatin and 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized, -Double-Blind,...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known risk factor for hypertension.
• Positive airway pressure may not fully mitigate this risk.
• Low-intensity statin therapy shows modest blood pressure (BP) reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if six months of high-intensity statin therapy can lower resting or ambulatory BP in patients with OSA.
• To explore atorvastatin's potential as an adjunct for BP reduction in OSA patients.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 39 OSA patients assigned to high-intensity atorvastatin or placebo.
• BP assessed via office measurements and 24-hour ambulatory monitoring at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
• Changes in BP adjusted for adherence to interventions and OSA treatment.

Main Results:

• No significant between-group differences in baseline BP.
• No differences in changes in resting, 24-hour mean, daytime, or nighttime BP at 3 or 6 months.
• High-intensity atorvastatin did not lower BP compared to placebo in OSA patients.

Conclusions:

• High-intensity atorvastatin therapy does not appear to lower resting or ambulatory BP in patients with OSA.
• Atorvastatin is not a viable adjunct intervention for BP reduction in this patient group.