Aortic arch calcification is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical condition that causes an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OSA is likely to show increased arterial stiffness and progressive systemic atherosclerosis. Chest radiography reveals atherosclerotic changes in the aorta.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between aortic arch calcification (AAC) on chest radiography and OSA. Material and Method: 204 patients (age: 55±14 years; 78 men) who were diagnosed with OSA by performing night polysomnography were evaluated. On the other hand 200 (age: 48±15 years; 94 men) patients were selected to the group non OSA. AAC was evaluated with chest radiography and inter-observer agreement was analyzed by using kappa statistics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association of AAC and OSA. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of AAC was 207 (51,2%). OSA group had significantly higher prevalence of AAC (79% vs. 32.5%, p <0.0001) as compared to the normal group. Presence of AAC was a strong and independent predictor of OSA (OR 3.923, 95%CI 2.396 to 6.328) in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Presence of AAC on plain chest radiography is strongly and independently associated with the presence of OSA.

Keywords

• Aorta
• Thoracic
• Calcinosis
• Sleep apnea
• Obstructive

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