Objective To reveal the worldwide research status and hot topics of sleep apnea syndrome ( SAS) . Methods Articles were searched from Web of Science ( SCI) , Essential Science Indicator ( 2000 to 2010) database using sleep apnea syndrome or apnea as keywords. Retrieved documents were analyzed using the database with its own statistical functions and histcite software ( version 8.12. 16) .Results Since 1992 the international scientific papers on the SAS study showed a gradual upward trend.The United States is a world leader in this field. Recent research has focused on vascular endothelial barrier function and repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, cognitive function, special populations such as the elderlyor children patients with SAS. Conclusion Clinical researchers have paid more attention to SAS than before, but there are still many important issues unresolved.