The Spanish Sleep Society acknowledges the research of the IRBLleida respiratory medicine research group on the effect of sleep apnea and its treatment on the prevalence of cardiovascular episodes

The Spanish Sleep Society has recognised the research work of the Translational research in respiratory medicine group at the Institute for Biomedical Research of Lleida (IRBLleida), led by the Territorial Clinical Director of Chronic Respiratory Diseases and professor at the University of Lleida, Ferran Barbé, for his research on the effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment on the prevalence of cardiovascular episodes. Specifically, the Spanish Sleep Society has awarded the researcher, Alicia Sánchez de la Torre, for her article Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea and its treatment with continuous positive airway pressure on the prevalence of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ISAACC study): a randomised controlled trial.

The ISAACC study determined that the application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea has a neutral effect on the secondary prevention of new recurrent cardiovascular events, that is, it has no positive effect on the prevention of major cardiovascular events. The study, led from Lleida, involved 15 hospitals in Spain from April 2011 to February 2018. It is one of the most important studies carried out by the *Spanish Sleep Network, a collaborative network of recognised international prestige.

The Translational research in respiratory medicine group is made up of basic, clinical and epidemiological researchers, from many specialities, who are working to address the study of the physiopathology of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and its consequences.

In this same area of research, Manuel Sánchez de la Torre, professor at the University of Lleida and head of the Precision Medicine in Chronic Diseases Group, is the new director of the Integrated Sleep Research Programme (IRP) of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). The objective of the IIP is to promote research in the field of respiratory diseases by improving clinical practice related to this problem. SEPAR currently has 13 active IIPs with different lines of work that make up a large number of research staff.

This appointment will allow Sánchez de la Torre to lead research in the field of sleep at a national level and to produce knowledge, transfer it to clinical practice and evaluate the suitability and adequacy of the transfer. "Leading this programme will allow us to promote research into sleep disorders and ensure that the quality of sleep is considered a fundamental pillar of health," explained Sánchez de la Torre.

Research article:

Sánchez-de-la-Torre M, Sánchez-de-la-Torre A, Bertran S, Abad J, Duran-Cantolla J, Cabriada V, Mediano O, Masdeu MJ, Alonso ML, Masa JF, Barceló A, de la Peña M, Mayos M, Coloma R, Montserrat JM, Chiner E, Perelló S, Rubinós G, Mínguez O, Pascual L, Cortijo A, Martínez D, Aldomà A, Dalmases M, McEvoy RD, Barbé F; Spanish Sleep Network. Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea and its treatment with continuous positive airway pressure on the prevalence of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ISAACC study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2020 Apr;8(4):359-367. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(19)30271-1. Epub 2019 Dec 12. PMID: 31839558.

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