Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) creates a complex and dynamic substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF), which is characterized by structural remodeling as a result of long-term OSA as well as transient and acute apnea-associated transient atrial electrophysiological changes. OSA is present in 21% to 74% of patients with AF, and nonrandomized studies suggest that treatment of OSA by continuous positive airway pressure may help to maintain sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion and improve catheter ablation success rates. Management of OSA in patients with AF requires a close interdisciplinary collaboration between the electrophysiologist/cardiologist and sleep specialists.