Obstructive sleep apnea and stroke

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that has been associated with many cardiovascular disease processes, including hypertension and arrhythmias. OSA has also been identified as an independent risk factor for stroke and all-cause mortality. OSA is highly prevalent in patients with transient ischemic attacks and stroke. Routinely screening patients with transient ischemic attacks or stroke for sleep apnea is becoming more common. In stroke patients with OSA, treatment with continuous positive airway pressure may prevent subsequent cardiovascular events and improve neurologic outcomes. This review explores the pathophysiology of the association between OSA and stroke, and the clinical implications of identification and treatment of OSA in patients with stroke.

Keywords::

• continuous positive airway pressure
• obstructive sleep apnea
• sleep disordered breathing
• stroke

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.