Abstract-The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressures (BPs) in patients with resistant hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea is not established. We aimed to evaluate it in a randomized controlled clinical trial, with blinded assessment of outcomes. Four hundred thirty-four resistant hypertensive patients were screened and 117 patients with moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea, defined by an apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 per hour, were randomized to 6-month CPAP treatment (57 patients) or no therapy (60 patients), while maintaining antihypertensive treatment. Clinic and 24-hour ambulatory BPs were obtained before and after 6-month treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in clinic and ambulatory BPs and in nocturnal BP fall patterns. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol (limited to those with uncontrolled ambulatory BPs) analyses were performed. Patients had mean (SD) 24-hour BP of 129 (16)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a common respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent nocturnal episodes of normal breathing interruption due to upper airway total or partial collapse. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases has similar risk factors, but the first is also a predisposing factor for cardiovascular pathologies independently of individuals demographic characteristics or risk markers. Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method to evaluate the regulation of autonomic nervous system and its a promising marker for health and disease, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The aim was to review whether heart rate variability is altered in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. We searched in five databases, including BIREME, Cochrane, Scholar Google, MEDLINE/PubMed and Periodics CAPES, and reference lists were also searched. Only cross-sectional studies comparing the heart rate variability of obstructive sleep patients with controls were included. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Twelve studies (513 participants with obstructive sleep apnea and 340 controls) met the inclusion criteria. This review evidence that adults with obstructive sleep apnea may demonstrate diminished vagal tone and higher sympathetic responsiveness.

Background: Heart failure can present with asymptomatic dysfunction at decompensation, with limitations and decrease in the productive capacity. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a non-pharmacological means to decrease afterload.