Sleep apnea syndrome as a cause of severe pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Background. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. There are three forms of sleep apnea: obstructive (OSA), central (CSA), and a combination of the two called mixed. OSA affects 1 to 6% of adults and 2% of children, but CSA affects less than 1% of people.