Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with recurrent ischemic stroke, but not mortality, according to a recent study. SDB may, therefore, represent an important modifiable risk factor for poor stroke outcomes. In the BASIC project (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christ), researchers identified patients with ischemic stroke (2010–2015). Subjects were offered screening for SDB with the ApneaLink Plus device, from which a respiratory event index (REI) ≥10 defined SDB. Demographics and baseline characteristics were determined from chart review and interview. Recurrent ischemic stroke was identified through active and passive surveillance. They found:

• Among 842 subjects, the median age was 65 (interquartile range, 57–76), 47% were female, and 58% were Mexican American.
• The median REI was 14 (interquartile range, 6–26); 63% had SDB.
• SDB was associated with male sex, Mexican American ethnicity, being insured, nonsmoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lower educational attainment, and higher body mass index.
• Among Mexican American and non-Hispanic whites, 85 (11%) ischemic recurrent strokes and 104 (13%) deaths occurred, with a median follow-up time of 591 days.