Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea increased risk of postoperative cardiovascular complications

As a prevalent type of sleep-disordered breathing, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular complications in general population. However, the association of whether OSA poses a similar risk in perioperative patients remains uncertain. The article “Association of Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Postoperative Cardiovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Major Noncardiac Surgery” determined the relation between OSA and risk of 30-day postoperative cardiovascular complications.  It concluded that among adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery, unrecognized severe OSA was significantly associated with increased postoperative cardiovascular complications.  The article also suggested that further research would be needed to assess whether interventions can modify this risk. (JAMA. 2019 May 14;321(18):1788-1798. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.4783.)

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof Matthew Chan in Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, CUHK. Prof Chan’s research focuses on anaesthesiology.

Read full article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733209

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