CPAP initiation in persistent atrial fibrillation: Have we overslept the alarm clock?

The results of multiple basic science and mechanistic clinical studies form a solid basis for a plausible pathophysiological link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) [1]. In a meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort studies comprising 1087 patients, treatment of OSA by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was associated with 40% reduction of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV) or catheter ablation [2]. However, randomized controlled studies are lacking and this uncertainty is reflected by current international AF-guidelines, which recommend that it may be “reasonable” to perform CPAP treatment to reduce recurrent AF and optimize AF treatment results [1].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research