title: Obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation: understanding the connection.
abstract: There is a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Whether this represents a causative relationship or is merely an association remains to be determined. This review describes the current understanding of pathophysiologic links supporting a causative relationship between OSA and AF. The management of AF with antiarrhythmics, cardioversion and ablation success depends on compliance with OSA treatment. OSA worsens every risk factor resulting in a higher stroke risk in AF patients. Strategies for early screening and compliance with OSA treatment are the need of the hour.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - Cardiology, 473 12th Avenue, Columbus 43210, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Nishaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oza
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baveja
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khayat
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houmsse
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents