Parallel changes in resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in a hypertensive OSAS patient demonstrate treatment efficacy

Studies comparing the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) versus surgery in correcting cardiovascular abnormalities in OSAS are lacking. We describe an OSAS patient with hypertension who responded favorably to CPAP treatment, whereas subsequent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was less successful. While CPAP markedly lowered daytime muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and blood pressure (BP), findings after UPPP were comparable to pre-treatment baseline. Thus, parallel changes in MSNA and BP demonstrated treatment efficacy.