Skip to main content

Risk for Death, Cardiovascular Death Lower for OSA Patients Using CPAP

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2023 -- For patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) offers cardiovascular (CV) benefits, according to two studies presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2023, held from Sept. 9 to 13 in Milan.

Jordi de Batlle, Ph.D., from the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida in Spain, and colleagues examined the impact of CPAP treatment on major CV events in a longitudinal observational study composed of all OSA patients terminating CPAP treatment in 2011 and propensity score-matched OSA patients continuing CPAP treatment (3,638 in each group). The researchers found that after adjustment by age, sex, and key comorbidities, CPAP continuators had a lower risk for CV death than terminators during a median follow-up of 4.5 years (hazard ratio, 0.66). Similar results were seen for CV hospitalizations and for a composite of CV deaths and hospitalizations (hazard ratios, 0.82 and 0.80, respectively).

Cliona O'Donnell, M.B.B.S., from St. Vincent's University Hospital and University College Dublin, and colleagues examined the potential effect of CPAP versus glucagon-like peptide-1 (liraglutide)-mediated weight loss (LWR) on coronary artery plaque volumes in a proof-of-concept study. Thirty patients with moderate-to-severe OSA were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of CPAP, LWR, or a combination. The researchers observed a reduction in low-density coronary artery plaque volume with CPAP and with combination therapy, but not with LWR alone. There was a correlation seen for change in total plaque volume with change in time spent below 90 percent oxygen saturation.

"Although this is a pilot study, meaning we cannot draw firm conclusions, we found improvements in some early signs of cardiovascular disease with CPAP treatment," O'Donnell said in a statement. "This should now be further evaluated in larger studies."

Abstract - Batlle

Abstract - O'Donnell

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Fat-Enlarged Axillary Nodes on Mammogram May Indicate Higher CVD Risk

TUESDAY, May 14, 2024 -- Fat-enlarged axillary nodes on screening mammograms can predict the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study presented at the annual...

Adding Cardiovascular Biomarkers to Established Risk Factors Increases Risk Prediction

MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- The addition of cardiovascular biomarkers to established risk factors leads to a small improvement in risk prediction of cardiovascular disease, according...

Cardiovascular, Kidney, and Metabolic Syndrome Highly Prevalent in the U.S.

FRIDAY, May 10, 2024 -- Cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) syndrome is highly prevalent in the United States, with more than 90 percent of adults meeting the criteria for...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.