[Oxidative stress and sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.1-4 The pathogenic bases for this association are unknown, but one of the possible mechanisms involved is oxidative stress.5 It has been suggested that the intermittent hypoxia and episodes of hypoxia/reoxygenation that accompany apneas may lead to increased vascular release of free radicals, favor the process of formation of atheromata, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with SAHS.6,7 In this review we present some general concepts concerning the genesis of oxidative stress in the vascular wall and the existing evidence for the involvement of this process in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in patients with SAHS.