Cardiovascular mechanisms and consequences of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is considered as a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction and stroke. These clinical manifestations are the consequences of elevated sympathetic activity, cardiovascular variability, intrathoracic pressure changes, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance and thrombosis provoked by OSA. As a result, OSA is often present in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the increased prevalence of CVD in OSA population raises both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and the demand of healthcare resources.

The European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA): report from 22 European sleep laboratories.

The European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) reflects a network of 22 sleep disorder centres in Europe enabled by a COST action B26 programme. This ongoing project aims to describe differences in standard clinical care of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to establish a resource for genetic research in this disorder. Patients with suspected OSA are consecutively included and followed up according to local clinical standards.