Efficacy of Positive Airway Pressure on Patients with Hypertension Complicated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on the blood pressure and the parameters of sleep respiration in patients of hypertension complicated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Sixty cases of hypertension complicated with OSAHS were randomly divided into treatment group n=30 and control group n=30. nCPAP and routine drug treatment (antihypertensive and anti-atherosclerosis medications) were administered in the treatment group, while only routine drug treatment was given in the control group. Blood pressure and parameters of sleep respiration in two groups were compared before and after treatment. Results SBP, DBP, pulse pressure, heart rate, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), maximum apnea duration, and minimum pulse oxygen saturation (SpO_ 2 min ) were significantly improved (P0.05) after nCPAP treatment. The antihypertensive medications were decreased or even discontinued in some patients, in whom only nCPAP was able to keep the normal BP. Conclusion nCPAP was a safe, effective treatment in hypertension complicated with OSAHS.