Sleep apnea syndrome in patients with chronic heart failure

SAS is an important risk factor for the development of hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and cor pulmonale. Several papers suggest that SAS may lead to progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). Intensity of SAS is described by respiratory disturbance index (RDI). 49 patients with chronic systolic heart failure were enrolled into the study. Patients were divided into two groups accordingly to results of polysomnographic study: group I with RDI <5, and group 2 with RDI >= 5. Group 2 patients were older had lower BMI and had more severe symptoms of heart failure according to NYHA. Group 2 patients, although characterized by similar left ventricle ejection fraction have had significantly more frequently diastolic function disturbances. Results suggest that SAS in CHF patients occurs in older population with lower BMI. SAS may be responsible for worsening of CHF symptoms and more frequently coexist with diastolic function disturbances.