 Numerous studies have selectively examined the effects of continuous positive airway pressure CPAP ventilation, the primary treatment for OSA, on the traditional and novel risk factors of atherosclerosis. A recent metaanalysis of 16 randomized trials indicated that CPAP decreases blood pressure in patients with OSA.9 Furthermore, reductions in serum total cholesterol, C-reactive protein CRP, tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha, interleukin IL-6 and IL-8 were demonstrated after effective CPAP therapy.In addition, CPAP was shown to reduce systemic oxidative stress.Improvements in insulin sensitivity have been reported in some,but not in all studies. Importantly, substantial evidence links the effects of CPAP to compliance with this treatment. 