( Researchers have found that patients wi...)Patients With OSA at Higher Risk for Cardiovascular Disease,Health

Researchers have found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have higher levels of a type of dead cells (apoptotic cells) from the lining (endothelium) of their blood vessels circulating in their bloodstream than people who do not have OSA. The finding may help explain why those with OSA are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

According to the researchers, levels of apoptotic endothelial cells are correlated with abnormal endothelial vasorelaxation, a precursor of atherosclerosis-related events, and that treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal CPAP) can reduce levels of circulating apoptotic endothelial cells in OSA patients.

These findings appear in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a publication of the American Thoracic Society.

Lead researcher Ali El Sohl, M.D., M.P.H., said the study was done to explain why patients with OSA had a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. He added that the increased levels of circulating apoptotic endothelial cells would mean less production of nitric oxide that is crucial to artery vasodilatation. The less nitric oxide, the higher potentially is the risk of hypertension and acute heart attack. CPAP treatment would likely restore the physiologic function of the lining of the blood vessels.

For the study, 14 men with OSA were recruited from the Sleep Clinic at the Erie County Medical Center, a hospital affiliated with the University of Buffalo, in New York. The patients were nonsmokers without any coexisting diseases, and they did not use medications. Ten healthy nonsmokers were recruited from a wellness clinic at the same hospital to serve as controls.

The OSA patients were given polysomnographic testing to verify the diagnosis. This involved evaluating brain waves, electrical activity of muscles, eye movements, breathing rates, blood pressure, blood
'"/>




Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. One in Three Heart Attack Patients Have No Chest Pains
2. Amphetamines Help Recovery of Stroke Patients
3. Painkillers Do Not Shorten Dying Patients Lives
4. Patients With Filariasis More Prone To HIV Infection
5. Glivec - New Hope For CMC Patients
6. Patients often assume wrongly that they are allergic to penicillin
7. New FDA Approved Drug NATRECOR For Heart Failure Patients
8. Hemochromatosis Patients Blood is Safe
9. Patients Pressure Would Result In Overprescription
10. Risk Of Decongestants In Hypertensive Patients
11. Interference helps Heart Patients