Sleep Apnea's Protective Effect Before Bypass Surgery

Researchers are investigating whether obstructive sleep apnea—a common condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep—might naturally protect your heart and organs during major vascular bypass surgery. The study will compare surgical outcomes between patients who have sleep apnea and those who don't, measuring how well the body recovers after the blood supply is temporarily cut off during the operation.

When surgeons clamp the main artery during bypass surgery, tissues lose oxygen temporarily, which can cause injury when blood flow returns. This trial explores whether sleep apnea might trigger natural protective mechanisms in the body that reduce this injury—potentially opening new ways to protect patients during major surgery.