How can identified early presence of atherosclerotic plaque in severe OSAS

Carotid plaque is frequent and often unacknowledged in severe OSAS. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the carotid arteries is the fastest way to disclose a different level of stenosis in absence of clinical symptoms, but not all OSAS patients are submitted this examination. Nocturnal hypoxemia related to OSAS can induce retinal vessel constriction with a reduction of artero-venous ratio (AVR) evaluated by retinography. Aim of this study was to evaluate in severe OSAS patients a correlation between a severe constriction of AVR index ( 2 ), aged from 35 to 60 years, non smokers, non diabetics, non cardiopathics, non hypertensive, diagnosed for severe OSAS (AHI=43,5±22/h) after a polisomnography, underwent retinography of the two eyes with Topcon TCR NW200 non mydriatic retinal camera. 27/30 patients with a severe constricted AVR Index (