[Sleep apnea syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm: Study of the prevalence of sleep apnea syndrome in patients with aneurysm and research of association. Clinical study on 52 patients].

OBJECTIVES

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in Europe is between 4.1 % and 8.9 %. The risk of rupture of AAA is related to the evolution of its diameter. The role of sleep apnea (SA) remains still discussed. The objective of this study was to study the prevalence of SA in patients presenting with AAA in comparison with the general population as well as the relation between the AAA diameter and the severity of SA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2012 and December 2014, we included all patients referred for surgical treatment of an AAA. All the patients had a preoperative polysomnography and angio-scanner. An apnea/hypopnea index (AHI)>10/h was chosen for the diagnosis of SA. SA prevalence was compared with the prevalence in general population. The patients were also divided into two groups according to the severity of SA: group 1 (no SA and light SAS); group 2 (moderate and severe SA).

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients were included. Fifty-six percent of the patients presented SA - prevalence was significantly higher than in the general population (56 vs. 8 %, P<0.001). The distribution of the two groups was: group 1, n=27 patients, group 2, n=25 patients. AAA diameter and BMI were higher in group 2 than in group 1, respectively 61mm vs. 55mm, P=0.03 and 28 vs. 23, P=0.02.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of SA in patients with an AAA seems to be significantly higher than in general population. The growth of the aneurysm seems to be linked to the severity of SA.