title: Implications of obstructive sleep apnea for atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
abstract: 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.
authors: Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. gami.apoor@mayo.edu
authors: Apoor S
authors: AS
authors: Gami
authors: Virend K
authors: VK
authors: Somers
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D015984:Causality; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D015996:Survival Rate