Risque cardiovasculaire et syndrome d'apnées obstructives du sommeil

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder frequently associated with obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea cause sympathetic system activation during night that is prolonged during daytime leading to insulinoresistance, endothelial dysfunction, increased platelets activation and aggregation and blood pressure elevation. This deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system explain that many studies have found an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with OSAS. Two recent prospective studies have found that OSAS treatment is associated with a significant decrease in cardiovascular events. All this data should lead to consider OSAS as a major cardiovascular risk factor.