Limited evidence is available regarding the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronary plaque assessed using quantitative coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).
Are there any associations of OSA severity-related indices with the presence and burden of coronary plaque?
Cross-sectional data from 692 patients who underwent sleep monitoring and CCTA were used for this study. Of these patients, 120 (17.3%) underwent polysomnography, and 572 (82.7%) underwent respiratory polygraphy. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations of OSA severity-related indices with the presence, volume and composition of plaque.
In multivariable analyses, patients with moderate-severe OSA were more likely to have coronary plaques (P =.037) and plaques were more likely to contain noncalcified plaque (NCP) component (P =.032) and low-density NCP (LD NCP) component (P =.030). Furthermore, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) as continuous variables were both associated with the presence of plaque, NCP and LD NCP (P < .05 for all). Multivariable linear regression models demonstrated that moderate-severe OSA was associated with NCP volume (β = 50.328, P =.042) and LD NCP volume (β = 15.707, P =.011). Moreover, AHI (P =.015), ODI (P =.005) and percent of night time with oxygen saturation below 90% (T90) (P=.017) were all significant predictors of LD NCP volume. Compared to those with no or mild OSA, patients with severe OSA had a significantly higher total plaque volume (P =.036), NCP volume (P =.036) and LD NCP volume (P =.013).
OSA was independently associated with the presence and burden of coronary plaque, which suggests an increased risk of coronary events.

Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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