Complications of OSAS

Cardiopulmonary

• cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances
  • sinus arrhythmia
  • second degree or complete AV Block
  • prolonged sinus pauses
  • paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
  • ventricular tachycardia
• systemic and pulmonary hypertension
  • SBP > 200mm Hg at conclusion of obstructive events
  • decreased MAP during events
  • increased ischemic events (associated with BP changes and gas exchange abnormalities)
  • PCWP increases (may cause pulmonary edema)
• long term consequences
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • cor pulmonale
  • systemic hypertension
  • increased vascular mortality/death

Neuropsychiatric

• excessive daytime somnolence
• personality changes
• cognitive dysfunction and memory impairment
• impotence
• depression

Socioeconomic

• loss of productivity
• increased motor vehicle accidents (7-fold increase over non-apneic controls)