Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy Effect on Blood Pressure

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveUpper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy has become increasingly utilized to treat obstructive sleep apnea, which is an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension. This study examines the impact of this therapy on blood pressure (BP).Study DesignRetrospective cross‐sectional cohort study.SettingTertiary center, Military Health System.MethodsPatients who underwent UAS implantation at Brooke Army Medical Center between July 2015 and July 2020 were included if they used their device for at least 25 h/wk. Pre‐ and postoperative systolic BP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), calculated mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) were compared using paired t test or Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test.ResultsThirty patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 60, and the median body mass index was 29.9 kg/m2. The mean time between pre‐ and postoperative BP measurements was 11.6 months. AHI decreased from 35.1 to 16.5 events/h (p < .001). DBP decreased from 78.5 (73.8, 85.0) to 74.5 mm Hg (68.8, 81.3), with a mean difference of −3.7 mm Hg (p = .002). MAP decreased from 94.8 (89.6, 100.6) to 90.2 mm Hg (84.3, 100.0), with a mean difference of −3.7 mm Hg (p = .004).ConclusionUAS therapy was associated with a significant reduction in DBP, MAP, and AHI. These reductions in BP could potentially lead to favorable decreases in cardiovascular morbidity.