Up-to-date advance in the relationship between OSA and stroke: a narrative review

Sleep Breath. 2024 Mar;28(1):53-60. doi: 10.1007/s11325-023-02904-2. Epub 2023 Aug 26.

Abstract

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and stroke affect each other. In this review, we summarized the effect of OSA on the onset and recurrence of stroke, the prognosis, and the treatment of poststroke patients with OSA.

Methods: Pubmed/MEDLINE were searched through May 2023 to explore the relationship between OSA and stroke. The relevant papers included OSA and stroke, OSA and recurrent stroke, and the prognosis and treatment of poststroke patients with OSA.

Results: The results showed that OSA can promote the onset and recurrence of stroke and that OSA may adversely affect the prognosis of poststroke patients. The application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and other treatments may benefit poststroke patients with OSA, though the long term effects of treatment are not well documented.

Conclusion: Both the onset and recurrence of stroke closely correlated with OSA, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Further studies should be carried out to explore effective treatments in patients with stroke and OSA.

Keywords: Continuous positive airway pressure; Obstructive sleep apnea; Prognosis; Recurrent stroke; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / methods
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / therapy
  • Stroke* / complications
  • Treatment Outcome