Left Atrial Volume and Function Evaluation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Left Atrial Volume and Function in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Assessed by Real Time Three Dimensional Echocardiography

The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with obstructive sleep apnea have any changes in left atrial morphology and function evaluated by echocardiography three dimensional

Several studies have been suggesting that Obstructive Sleep Apnea contributes to deterioration of left ventricular diastolic function . It may lead to atrial myocardium stretching and enlargement which may be associated to increased risk of cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that morphological and functional LA changes might be found using three dimensional echo, and that such alterations are related to obstructive sleep apnea presence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age from 30 to 70
• Apnea-hypopnea index > 5 by polysomnography

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any cardiac disease
• Poor imaging quality by mean of echocardiography
• non-sinusal Rhythm