- Figure 12
LVEF and Fractional Shortening
FIG. 12: This Figure shows a summary of the results of the first study that we did to test the hypothesis outlined in the previous Figure. The study enrolled 24 patients with a combination of systolic heart failure (LVEF ≤45%) and OSA who were receiving optimal medical therapy for heart failure.[4] Patients were randomized to either treatment with CPAP or no CPAP (controls). In the control group there was no significant change in LVEF from baseline to 1 month, whereas there was a significant 9% increase in the CPAP group. Similarly, there was no improvement in fractional shortening over the 1-month period in the control group, whereas in the CPAP-treated group there was a significant improvement.
So after 1 month of treatment in patients with heart failure and OSA, CPAP is associated with an improvement in systolic function of the left ventricle.
References
Kaneko Y, Floras JS, Usui K, et al. Cardiovascular effects of continuous positive airway pressure in patients with heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:1233–1241.
