Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on apnea and hypopnea in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome complicated by hypertension

Objective To investigate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on apnea and hypopnea in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)complicated by hypertension. Methods 63 subjects with OSAHS examined by polysomnography (PSG)were enrolled in this study (male 54, female 9), average age ( 53 ± 12 ) years. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, group A(pure OSAHS group, n = 21), group B(hypertension patients with OSAHS without antihypertensive treatment group, n = 19), group C(hypertension patients with OSAHS with ACEI group, n =23). All subjects underwent 8-hour PSG monitoring and their data were analyzed. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest SaO2 (LSaO2) were compared among the three groups. Results The AHI of group C were lower significantly than that of group B [(21. 32±3. 53) n/h vs (38. 99±2.51) n/h,P ＜0. 05], while LSaO2 of group C were higher significantly than that of group B [(79. 43±7. 54) % vs(72.56±10. 5) %, P ＜0.05]. There was no significant difference in AHI and LSaO2 between group A and group C. Conclusions ACEI may have improving effects on apnea and hypopnea in hypertension patients with OSAHS. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome;  Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ;  Apnea;  Hypopnea