Sleep apnea my boost risk for post-op problems

Sleep apnea may boost the odds of developing two serious health complications following surgery. So, finding out if you have the sleep disorder beforehand -- and seeking treatment -- could boost your odds for good recovery from surgery, researchers say.
The two post-op complications are blood clots in the veins and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, according to two new studies.
These problems occurred more often among surgical patients who had not yet been diagnosed -- and therefore weren't treated -- with sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repeated breathing disruptions during sleep. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, restless sleep and loud snoring -- often with periods of silence followed by gasps.
More than half of surgery patients who have sleep apnea don't know it, the authors of one new study said. Identifying these patients ahead of time might spare them serious post-op complications, the findings suggest. Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the relationship between diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and post-operative complications is well-documented, with the new research "confirming findings from
prior studies."
Sleep apnea appears to expose the heart to "mechanical stress," while also leading to vascular inflammation and an increased risk for blood clots, he explained.
"These physiologic changes could place patients undergoing (open-heart) surgery at higher risk for complications," said Fonarow, who wasn't involved in the study. Still, this study doesn't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between untreated sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation or venous blood clots. And Fonarow isn't sure that treating the sleep disorder would actually prevent these complications.
Both studies are scheduled for presentation Oct. 26 in Los Angeles, at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). Until the findings are peer-reviewed for publication in a medical journal, they should be considered preliminary.
    HealthDay

Sleep apnea my boost risk for post-op problems

Sleep apnea may boost the odds of developing two serious health complications following surgery. So, finding out if you have the sleep disorder beforehand -- and seeking treatment -- could boost your odds for good recovery from surgery, researchers say. The two post-op complications are blood clots in the veins and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, according to two new studies. These problems occurred more often among surgical patients who had not yet been diagnosed -- and therefore werent treated -- with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repeated breathing disruptions during sleep. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, restless sleep and loud snoring -- often with periods of silence followed by gasps. More than half of surgery patients who have sleep apnea dont know it, the authors of one new study said. Identifying these patients ahead of time might spare them serious post-op complications, the findings suggest. Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the relationship between diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and post-operative complications is well-documented, with the new research confirming findings from prior studies. Sleep apnea appears to expose the heart to mechanical stress, while also leading to vascular inflammation and an increased risk for blood clots, he explained. These physiologic changes could place patients undergoing (open-heart) surgery at higher risk for complications, said Fonarow, who wasnt involved in the study. Still, this study doesnt establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between untreated sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation or venous blood clots. And Fonarow isnt sure that treating the sleep disorder would actually prevent these complications. Both studies are scheduled for presentation Oct. 26 in Los Angeles, at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). Until the findings are peer-reviewed for publication in a medical journal, they should be considered preliminary. HealthDay