Relationship between atherosclerosis and the sleep apnea syndrome: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is a predictive factor of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that SAHS could influence coronary atherosclerosis plaque volume as assessed by 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (3D-IVUS).

Methods: Participating patients were identified from 2 studies assessing the progression of atherosclerosis in stable coronary artery disease using coronary 3D-IVUS.