Right ventricular function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea often affects the cardiovascular system. So far, only few data are available on its influence on the function of the right ventricle that can be evaluated by gated radionuclide ventriculography. This technique was performed on 68 patients with polysomnographically verified obstructive sleep apnea. 27.9% of the patients showed an impairment of right ventricular function. There was no correlation between right ventricular function and degree of obstructive sleep apnea or pulmonary artery pressures--as evaluated by right heart catheterization. Gated radionuclide ventriculography thus seems to be suitable for early detection of pathological effects of obstructive sleep apnea on the function of the right ventricle.