Investigating the link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and cardiovascular disease 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 7% of the population and is increasing with the global epidemic of obesity. Research suggests that OSA may be a cause of premature cardiovascular (CV) disease, but definitive proof is lacking. This 5-year trial will answer this question by comparing the rate of cardiovascular events (such as stroke, heart attack) in OSA patients who are treated, versus those not treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The results may lead to a new medical approach to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

SAVE is a multi-centre, open label, parallel, prospective, randomised, controlled trial of CPAP treatment plus standard care versus standard care alone, in 5000 high CVD risk subjects with moderate-severe OSA. The trial will determine the effects of CPAP treatment over a 3-5 year follow-up period on new cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death. The study was launched in China in June 2008, Australia in October 2008, New Zealand in November 2009 and will progressively involve sites in India and South America in 2010.

Key Contacts:

Collaborators

Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health      George Institute for Global Health   

 

 

 

 Key outcomes

  • the study commenced in early 2008 in March 2009 the study had a total of 81 randomised patients, including 67 in China
  • by December 2009 the study had grown to include patients in India and Spain
  • In June 2010 the study involved over 600 patients including New Zealand participants
  • In late 2010 the NHMRC granted $2.9 million to fund the study for a further five years.