Search

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder that is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The main interest of this clinical review is to discuss the cardiovascular consequences of OSA with a special focus on left ventricular (LV) function and structure, arterial stiffness and atrial fibrillation., Area Covered: We present an overview of the definition, prevalence, and risk factors of OSA and outline the association between OSA and cardiovascular complications. We then briefly discuss echocardiographic assessment in OSA with focus on the left atrium and LV. Finally, we highlight the importance of adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy with regard to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease., Expert Commentary: Although OSA has a strong association with cardiovascular complications, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Patients with resistant hypertension and atrial fibrillation with poor therapeutic success after cardioversion or catheter ablation should be more often screened for OSA. Patients with nocturnal adverse cardiovascular events (stroke, arrhythmias, angina, coronary events) should be closely assessed with regard to OSA, and if confirmed, timely treated by lifestyle modification, CPAP, and aggressive antihypertensive treatment. Adherence to CPAP in OSA patients is essential in terms of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None of the authors have any disclosures to make related to this work.

Patient-centered health care emphasizes shared decision-making (SDM), incorporating both clinical evidence and patient preferences and values. SDM is important in heart valve disease, both because there might be more than one treatment option and due to the importance of adherence after intervention. We aimed to describe patient information and involvement in decision-making about care and recording of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in valve interventions. The opinion piece and recommendations are based upon literature review and our own experience from specialist valve clinics. Before a valve intervention, adequate patient information, discussion of the various treatment options and exploring patient preferences, in line with the concept of SDM, may improve post-intervention quality of life. After intervention, patients with prosthetic heart valves require adequate counseling and close follow-up to make them more confident and competent to manage their own health, as well as to maintain the efficacy of treatment provided. PROMs inform SDM before and improve care after valve intervention, focusing on outcomes beyond mortality and morbidity. SDM may improve post-intervention quality of life. Formal PROMs questionnaires inform SDM, quantify patient centered changes and should be used more often in clinical practice and research. A thorough assessment of baseline frailty status in patients scheduled for valve intervention is essential and may affect postoperative outcome., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Saeed, Skaar, Romarheim, Chambers and Bleie.)

The impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on arterial stiffness is less studied. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and covariates of increased pulse pressure (PP), a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, in the entire study population as well as in separate analyses in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Further, we also explored the impact of smoking on brachial BP in hypertensive patients. Between 2012 and 2019, a total of 6408 participants with suspected OSA underwent a standard out-of-center respiratory polygraphy. OSA was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥15/h regardless of symptoms. PP ≥60 mmHg was used as a surrogate marker of increased arterial stiffness. Mean age was 49.3±13.7 years, 69.4% were male, and 34.5% had OSA. The prevalence of hypertension was 70.8% in OSA and 46.7% in No-OSA (AHI < 15/h) controls (P < .0001). Hypertension was controlled (clinic BP < 140/90 mmHg) in 45.5% and uncontrolled in 54.5% (P < .001). Mean PP was 50±12 mmHg in smokers and 52±12 mmHg in non-smokers (P = .001). Increased PP was found in 24.2% of the entire study population and was higher in patients with OSA compared to No-OSA group (27.5% vs 22.4%, P < .0001). In an unadjusted logistic regression model, OSA was associated with a 1.3-fold higher risk of having increased PP (95% CI 1.16-1.48, P < .001). In a multivariable-adjusted model, higher age, male sex, and history of hypertension, but not OSA (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.77-1.02, P = .104) were associated with increased PP. In this large study of nearly 6500 participants who were referred with suspected OSA, one-third were diagnosed with OSA and a quarter had increased arterial stiffness by elevated brachial PP. Hypertension but not OSA per se was associated with increased arterial stiffness. Hypertension was highly prevalent and poorly controlled., (© 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)