Obstructive sleep apnoea and its therapy influence high-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels.

Recent studies suggest an association of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia. The present study analyses the effects of OSA and its therapy on serum lipid concentrations in 470 OSA patients in a single centre study. Multivariate regression showed a significant association between the apnoea-hypopnoea index and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) serum levels (n = 366), independent of age, sex, body mass index, diabetes and lipid lowering medication.

Doppler echocardiographic prediction of recurrent atrial fibrillation following cardioversion.

Background: Cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impairment of left atrial mechanical function and increased risk of thrombus formation with subsequent embolisation. Measuring atrial mechanical function is of interest to determine the individual risk of thromboembolism and the risk of recurrent AF.

Methods: We included 112 consecutive patients with AF and planned cardioversion.

Modifying effects of the R389G beta1-adrenoceptor polymorphism on resting heart rate and blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea) stimulates sympathetic nervous activity and elevates resting HR (heart rate) and BP (blood pressure). In the present study in a cohort of 309 untreated OSA patients, the resting HR and BP during the daytime were correlated with AHI (apnoea/hypopnea index) and compared with patients with R389R (n = 162), R389G (n = 125) and G389G (n = 22) genotypes of the beta1-adrenoreceptor R389G polymorphism. We analysed the impact of the genotype on the decline of HR and BP in a subgroup of 148 patients (R389R, n = 86; R389G, n = 54; G389G, n = 8) during a 6-month follow-up period under CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy during which cardiovascular medication remained unchanged.

Obstructive sleep apnea and blood pressure. Interaction between the blood pressure-lowering effects of positive airway pressure therapy and antihypertensive drugs.

Background: There is increasing evidence that obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for arterial hypertension. Previous studies on the antihypertensive effects of positive airway pressure therapy on daytime blood pressure (BP) revealed inconsistent results.

Methods: The relations between the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and BP or heart rate (HR) were investigated in a cohort of 540 consecutive patients (age, 55.

Risk of coronary artery disease associated with polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2.

Background: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is expressed in the vascular endothelium and metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). The EETs are potent endogenous vasodilators and inhibitors of vascular inflammation. However, it is not known whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2J2 are associated with increased cardiovascular risks.