Cardiovascular Events in Obstructive Sleep Apnea — Can CPAP Therapy SAVE Lives?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder that has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.1 Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is frequently prescribed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and is effective in reversing hypoxemia and upper airway obstruction. Meta-analyses of randomized trials have shown that CPAP therapy elicits significant reductions in systemic arterial pressure, and the effect is greater with higher adherence.2,3 Observational studies have shown significantly fewer cardiovascular events in patients adherent to CPAP therapy than in those who are not adherent,4,5 but the need for large trials has lingered.The Sleep Apnea . . .