Impact of acute sleep deprivation on aortic elastic properties in healthy workers

Aim: People are more frequently exposed to acute sleep loss nowadays due to extensive working. Epidemiologic studies suggest that sleep deprivation (SD) increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Aortic stiffness is also shown to predict cardiovascular events, stroke, and death even in healthy populations. The association between SD and aortic stiffness remains unknown. We sought to determine the impact of acute SD on aortic elastic properties in healthy workers. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 34 healthy medical personnel working in shifts (17 men and 17 women). Less than half of the mean daily sleep time, or less than 4 hours a day, was defined as SD. Blood pressure and echocardiographic measurements for aortic stiffness including B-index, strain, and distensibility were obtained before and after SD. Results: Systolic blood pressure of participants increased significantly after SD compared to control values, which were recorded after normal sleep. There was also a statistically significant difference in diastolic blood pressures (118.29 +/- 13.17 vs. 119.52 +/- 11.94, P = 0.001; 70.70 +/- 12.04 vs. 71.08 +/- 9.51, P = 0.029; respectively). There was a statistically significant decrease in distensibility after SD compared to basal values (4.80 +/- 2.88 vs. 4.42 +/- 2.49, P = 0.042; respectively). The association between acute SD and B-index and strain did not reach statistical significance (11.18 +/- 6.22 vs. 12.25 +/- 6.24, P = 0.064; 46.44 +/- 43.71 vs. 48.17 +/- 35.09, P = 0.07; respectively). Conclusion: Acute SD triggers an increase in blood pressure and is associated with increased aortic stiffness.