Abstract

Almost half of patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) have asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, this incidence may vary depending on the criteria used. Along with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, smoking status and lack of exercise, obstructive sleep apnea increases cardiovascular risk. SAS has a high incidence in patients with high cardiovascular risk profile and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. The first phase of evaluating the cardiac dysfunction in an SAS patient is to identify patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who will be asked to answer the Berlin and Epworth Questionnaires. Those patients with high scores and clinical suspicion of SAS should be referred to a clinic for further evaluation. This will include polysomnography and screening echocardiography for all the patients.
Patients diagnosed by polysomnography with SAS will perform an ENT examination that assesses the presence of obstructive disorders that may contribute to the onset or worsening of SAS. This examination will also indicate whether the surgery to remove the obstacle will be performed. Where considered appropriate there should be initiated specific therapy with ventilator assistance devices during sleep. Therapy consists in SAS treatment and cardiac treatment as well.

Key words: Sleep apnea, cardiac dysfunction, obstructive apnea, central apnea