Introduction

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can alter right ventricular (RV) performance.

We aim to compare the RV function of patients with severe OSA treated  with continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) with non-treated patients.

Methods

We retrospectively included patients with severe OSA followed in our department in 2022. Patients were divided into two groups:

G1: patients who received CPAP therapy, G2: patients who didn?t receive CPAP therapy (due to financial reasons).

We compared echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function in these patients.

Results

We included 50 patients with severe OSA, mainly women (70%). Mean age was 65,34 years.

G1 consisted of 25 patients (50%).

The mean RV free wall thickness and basal diameter in G1 were significantly lower than in G2 (p<0.001).

 The mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and velocity of the S? wave were significantly lower in G2 than in G1 (p<0.001). The mean fractional area change (FAC) and longitudinal strain of the free lateral wall of the RV were significantly lower in G2 (p<0.001).

The mean tricuspid E/e' ratio was significantly higher in G2 (p=0.001). The right atrial area was significantly higher in G2 compared to G1 (p<0.001).

The mean RV myocardial performance index (RV Tei index) in pulsed doppler as well as tissue doppler was significantly more impaired in G2 (p<0.001). The mean systolic pulmonary pressure was significantly higher in G2 compared to G1 (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study shows that patients with severe OSA who received CPAP therapy have remarkably better systolic and diastolic RV function than those who haven?t.