Long-term effects of surgical treatment on baroreflex function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: an 18-month follow-up.
Depressed baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is reported in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Improvement of BRS short-term after surgical treatment is also reported. We tested the hypothesis that surgical treatment not only improves clinical outcomes, but also improves BRS after 18 months. Cardiovascular autonomic tests, polysomnography (PSG), and biochemical testing were prospectively evaluated in 54 OSA patients at three time points (preoperatively, 6 months and 18 months postoperatively) and compared with 20, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched, healthy controls. The BRS increased after surgical treatment at 18-month follow-up, with results similar to the healthy control. Additionally, average O2, mO2 <90% (% per night), and lowest O2 showed an increase after surgical treatment at the 18-month follow-up. Besides improvement in clinical outcomes, depressed BRS in OSA patients is reversible and these patients have the potential for total recovery of baroreflex function after 18 months of treatment.