Premium
Implications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea for Atrial Fibrillation and Sudden Cardiac Death
Author(s) -
GAMI APOOR S.,
SOMERS VIREND K.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01136.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , atrial fibrillation , obstructive sleep apnea , continuous positive airway pressure , sudden cardiac death , cardiac arrhythmia , sleep apnea , sudden death , breathing , ventricular fibrillation , intensive care medicine , anesthesia
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep‐related breathing disorder with important cardiovascular consequences, including arrhythmogenesis. The unique pathophysiology of OSA results in multiple intermediate mechanisms that may promote atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. These mechanisms may act acutely to trigger nocturnal dysrhythmias, or chronically by affecting the electrical and myocardial substrates. Burgeoning epidemiological data have identified an increased risk for atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death related to OSA. Currently, few data exist to support the efficacy of OSA therapy, namely continuous positive airway pressure, as an adjunct for arrhythmia prevention or management.