Increased right atrial pressure is associated with elevated PLMS and sleep disordered breathing in patients with pulmonary hypertension

In patients with pulmonary hypertension CSR/CSA is common, but also obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occur1. Overnight rostral leg fluid displacement and increase in neck circumference may influence severity of central sleep apnea2/3. Polysomnographic studies demonstrated a synchronisation between periodic leg movements (PLMS) and hyperventilation episodes in patients with CSR. This suggests that PLMS during sleep in patients with CSR may have a different origin, compared with PLMS during sleep in restless legs syndrome4. Until now an influence of fluid shift or fluid overloading to PLMS could not shown. Material a…