Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: cardiopulmonary and diffuse manifestations

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome mainly affects males over 40 and is thought to occur as a result of soft tissue laxity in the buccal and pharyngeal musculature. It is associated with changes in blood oxygen saturation and may lead to pulmonary hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias. Investigations should include routine haematological tests and, if possible, polysomnography. The main aim of therapy is to reverse as many risk factors as possible, i.e. alcohol consumption, obesity and smoking. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure is a useful tool in treatment but patient compliance may be poor, so surgery may be indicated. The surgical intervention of choice is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which is of most benefit to the patient with an upper airway laxity with an obstruction only at this level.