Citation

Golbidi S, Badran M, Ayas N, Laher I. Lung 2012; 190(2): 113-132.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00408-011-9340-1

PMID

22048845

Abstract

Sleep apnea is a common health concern that is characterized by repetitive episodes of asphyxia. This condition has been linked to serious long-term adverse effects such as hypertension, metabolic dysregulation, and cardiovascular disease. Although the mechanism for the initiation and aggravation of cardiovascular disease has not been fully elucidated, oxidative stress and subsequent endothelial dysfunction play major roles. Animal models, which have the advantage of being free of comorbidities and/or behavioral variables (that commonly occur in humans), allow invasive measurements under well-controlled experimental conditions, and as such are useful tools in the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of sleep apnea. This review summarizes currently available information on the cardiovascular consequences of sleep apnea and briefly describes common experimental approaches useful to sleep apnea in different animal models.

Language: en