Impact of CPAP treatment on pro-BNP in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The cardiovascular markers associated with OSA are currently not defined.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether repeated apneas and hypoxia influence the levels of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in OSAS patients and if these effects could be reversed by treatment.

Patients and Methods: A prospective study in 61 consecutive patients with suspected sleep disordered breathing referred to our sleep laboratory was conducted. OSAS was confirmed by polygraphy (PG). Serum pro-BNP was measured prior to and after 3 months of CPAP therapy.

Results: Low or high levelsof NT-pro-BNP were not associated with apnea-hypopnea indexand other sleep related indices (p=0.6).A statistically significant difference was observed between basal and three-month pro-BNP levels in hypertensive (39 +/-9.9 pg/ml to 28 +/-7.4 pg/ml, p=0.03) and normotensive (25.2+/-6.8 pg/ml to 20 +/-5.3 pg/ml, p=0.025) patients with OSAS.

Conclusions: CPAP therapy may improve cardiovascular comorbidity and co-mortality in OSAS and sleep disordered breathing, in general.