Obstructive apnea during sleep is associated with peripheral vasoconstriction.
Journal
  American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.
Citation
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 165(1):61-6
Publication date
  2002 Jan 1
Authors
  Imadojemu VA
Gleeson K
Gray KS
Sinoway LI
Leuenberger UA
Investigators
  Kevin Gleeson
Virginia A. Imadojemu
Urs A. Leuenberger
Lawrence I. Sinoway
Grant agencies
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Center for Research Resources
National Institute on Aging
Grants
  NHLBI K23 HL04190
NHLBI K24 HL04011
NCRR M01 RR10732
NIA R01 AG12227
MeSH headings
  Brachial Artery
Femoral Artery
Leg
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Vascular Resistance
MeSH qualifiers
  physiopathology
blood supply
complications
Abstract
  Obstructive apnea during sleep is associated with a substantial transient blood pressure elevation. The mechanism of this pressor response is unclear. In this study we measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), mean arterial pressure (Psa), and mean limb blood velocity as an index of blood flow (MBV, Doppler) and calculated changes in limb vascular resistance during and after apneas during both wakefulness and sleep in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Immediately postapnea during sleep Psa increased significantly compared with the earlier stages of apnea and this was preceded by a rise of MSNA (n = 5). In contrast to blood pressure, MBV remained unchanged. Because resistance = blood pressure/blood flow, limb vascular resistance increased by 29 +/- 8% from late apnea to postapnea (n = 7, p < 0.002). Voluntary breathhold maneuvers during room air exposure evoked similar responses (n = 10). Supplemental oxygen administered via nonrebreather face mask attenuated the MSNA and vasoconstrictor responses to obstructive (n = 2) and voluntary apneas (n = 10). Our data suggest that obstructive apneas in patients with the obstructive apnea syndrome are accompanied by transient limb vasoconstriction. This vasoconstrictor response appears to be, at least in part, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and may be linked to hypoxia.
Medline ID
  21637847