OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA IN HEART-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS - A REPORT OF 5 CASES

Clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was dia gnosed in five patients who had undergone heart transplantation and th ey represent 2.5 percent of our transplantation series. To determine i f these individuals had unique clinical features that would have sugge sted the presence of OSAS, we reviewed their case histories. Although four of five patients had symptoms of OSAS prior to transplant, none w as suspected of having the diagnosis before their surgery. Excessive d aytime sleepiness and loud snoring were noted in all patients, and the re were no unusual clinical features that characterized these individu als. Our data indicate that the occurrence of OSAS in heart transplant recipients approximates the prevalence in the general population. Bec ause OSAS may adversely affect cardiac function, we recommend that hea rt transplantation candidates he screened for a history suggestive of OSAS, and that polysomnography be performed if it is present.