Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with increased risk of coronary events, suggests a study published in the CHEST journal.
Currently, very limited data is available regarding the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronary plaque evaluated using quantitative coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).
A study was conducted by a group of Chinese researchers to evaluate any associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity-related indices and increased burden of coronary plaque.
The researchers collected cross-sectional data from a total of 692 patients who had undergone sleep monitoring and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). Out of which, 120 (17.3%) underwent polysomnography, and 572 (82.7%) underwent respiratory polygraphy. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations of OSA severity-related indices with the presence, volume, and composition of plaque.
The findings of the study are as follows:
· In multivariable analyses, patients with moderate-severe OSA was more likely to have coronary plaques and plaques were more likely to contain noncalcified plaque (NCP) component and low-density NCP (LD NCP) component.
· Furthermore, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) as continuous variables were both associated with the presence of plaque, NCP, and LD NCP.
· Multivariable linear regression models demonstrated that moderate-severe OSA was associated with NCP volume and LD NCP volume.
· Moreover, AHI, ODI, and percent of the night time with oxygen saturation below 90% (T90) were all significant predictors of LD NCP volume. Compared to those with no or mild OSA, patients with severe OSA had a significantly higher total plaque volume NCP volume and LD NCP volume.
The researchers concluded that Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was independently associated with the presence and increased burden of coronary plaque, which suggests an increased risk of coronary events.
Reference:
Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quantitative Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden: A Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2021.07.040