Vasoactive Hormones and Oxygen Saturation During Apneic Events in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The mechanisms involved in development and maintenance of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea are not clarified.

We hypothesize that patients with obstructive sleep apnea have an abnormal level of some vasoactive hormones during apneic events during sleep.

Patients with Obstructive sleep apnea

Inclusion Criteria:

• Severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index > 30)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Pregnancy
• History or clinical signs of disease in the heart, lungs, brain, liver, kidneys or endocrine organs
• Diabetes

Healthy Controls

Inclusion Criteria:

• Apnea-hypopnea index < 10

Exclusion criteria:

• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Pregnancy
• History or clinical signs of disease in the heart, lungs, brain, liver, kidneys or endocrine organs
• Diabetes