Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be Provocative for Right-to-Left Shunting Through a Patent Foramen Ovale

Abstract

In the nocturnal sleep period, right-to-left shunt can occur during single obstructive apneas in patients with OSAS and concomitant presence of PFO. This can be a risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. This risk could probably increase proportionally to the respiratory disturbance index of these patients.