ABSTRACT
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a widely prevalent spectrum of disorders and encompasses conditions such as simple snoring, central and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) (see also Chapter 14). OSA is characterized by episodic partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway (UA) resulting in a decrease in volume of (hypopneas) or complete cessation of (apneas) ventilation. These episodes may be associated with autonomic oscillations with alterations in heart rate and systemic and pulmonary arterial blood pressure. These, in turn, may play an integral role in mediating the putative cardiovascular consequences of OSA.
