The Relationship Between Aortic Stiffness and Cardiac Function in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Independently from Systemic Hypertension

Aortic stiffness parameters (aortic strain and distensibility), LV systolic long-axis function indicators (mitral lateral annular plane systolic excursion, peak systolic myocardial velocity at lateral annulus, peak systolic myocardial velocity at septal annulus), and Doppler tissue imaging-derived LV diastolic indices were found abnormal in patients with OSAS, hypertension, or both. Thus, subclinical cardiac dysfunction has been found in patients with OSAS independent from the systemic hypertension.