We investigated the cardiac baroreflex in response to carotid baroreceptor activation and inactivation in 15 obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) patients before and following one month of cPAP treatment. In order to activate and inactivate the carotid baroreceptors we used a neck chamber to produce neck suction and pressure, respectively. The cardiac baroreflex was calculated as an increase of heart rate (GHR). Following cPAP treatment we observed a significant increase in GHR in response to carotid baroreceptor activation and inactivation. Thus, the reduction of baroreceptor responsiveness in OSAS patients results from typical OSAS symptoms and might be reversed with the improvement of sleep quality.

Keywords: CPAP treatment, carotid cardiac baroreflex, obstructive sleep apnea