Complications of OSAS
Cardiopulmonary
- cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances
- sinus arrhythmia
- second degree or complete AV Block
- prolonged sinus pauses
- paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
- ventricular tachycardia
- systemic and pulmonary hypertension
- SBP > 200mm Hg at conclusion of obstructive events
- decreased MAP during events
- increased ischemic events (associated with BP changes and gas exchange
abnormalities)
- PCWP increases (may cause pulmonary edema)
- long term consequences
- pulmonary hypertension
- cor pulmonale
- systemic hypertension
- increased vascular mortality/death
Neuropsychiatric
- excessive daytime somnolence
- personality changes
- cognitive dysfunction and memory impairment
- impotence
- depression
Socioeconomic
- loss of productivity
- increased motor vehicle accidents (7-fold increase over non-apneic controls)