The ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinases) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH). ROCK activity can be used as a clinical biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increase cardiovascular disease and LVH. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for OSA. This study investigate the effect of CPAP on ROCK activity and left ventricle mass.

The ROCK were discovered as downstream targets of Ras homologous A and regulate various important cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, adhesion, and apoptosis. They play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, and remodeling. ROCK activity can be detected in human circulating leukocytes and could potentially be used as a clinical biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular disorders. It has been proven that higher ROCK activity is present in left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) patients than those without LVH. Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is characterized by recurrent collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep that leads to intermittent nocturnal hypoxia, resulting in a broad range of cardiovascular morbidities, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and LVH. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for OSA and several studies have shown that it can effectively reduce cardiovascular disease, but the effect of CPAP on left ventricle mass reduction is still uncertain. Previous studies demonstrated that patients with OSA had higher circulatory ROCK activity than those without OSA, but the role of CPAP on ROCK activity is not known. The circulatory leukocyte ROCK activity may be used as a clinical biomarker for cardiovascular disease and ROCK inhibitors may be used in the future as a treatment. OSA and CPAP treatment may also affect ROCK activity, the relationship between CPAP treatment, cardiac hypertrophy, and ROCK activity is important and should be clarified. Therefore, the main purpose of our study is to evaluate the effect of CPAP on ROCK activity and left ventricle mass.

Inclusion Criteria:

● Subjects who complete a standard polysomnography study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have heart failure (as determined by clinical symptoms or signs with elevated brain natriuretic peptide and echocardiography showing structural or functional abnormalities)
• Coronary artery disease (stress electrocardiography, myocardial scintigraphy, or coronary angiography proven coronary artery lesion)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Known infiltrative disease e.g. amyloidosis
• Chronic kidney disease severe than stage III
• Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
• Central sleep apnea,
• Hypoventilation syndrome (TCO2 or artery PaCO2 exceed 50 mmHg)
• Unstable hemodynamic state
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status higher than grade 2
• Pregnant women will be excluded.
• Polysomnography exam showing sleep time less than 2 hours
• Patients who receive surgery or oral appliance during the study period

Subjects who have snoring or any other symptoms of sleep breathing disorders receive a standard polysomnography study in the Chang Gung Sleep Center of Keelung.

Requestors need application and explain the purpose. The data access will be provided after approved by review panel.