Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether pulmonary arterial hypertension can worsen or even cause sleep apnea. It is hypothesized that if pulmonary arterial hypertension does indeed worsen or cause sleep apnea, then the treatment should first focus on the underlying pulmonary arterial hypertension instead of the sleep apnea. To determine if a person has sleep apnea, they will undergo one overnight polysomnogram (sleep study). If it is found that they have mild to moderate sleep apnea, then the subject will be invited to continue in the study and their pulmonary arterial hypertension will be treated by their managing primary physician. After the subject has had treatment for their pulmonary arterial hypertension, the study center will have them return for a follow up sleep study to learn the effects of pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment management on their sleep apnea, 12-24 weeks after the first sleep study.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is associated with fluid retention. Currently, the treatment paradigm for newly diagnosed PAH patients includes evaluation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The investigators propose that untreated or sub-optimally managed PAH patients have significant fluid retention which redistributes to the upper body during sleep and exacerbates or even mimics OSA. The investigators hypothesize that treatment of PAH patients with vasodilators and diuretics to optimize fluid balance will attenuate or even resolve OSA prior to the initiation of specific therapy for OSA (CPAP).

Conditions