Biomaterial Database

Cardiac arrhythmias in obstructive sleep apnea. 2008

P Schweitzer

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. pschweit@chapnet.org

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is associated with different types of cardiac arrhythmias. The original studies, concentrated mostly on nocturnal brady- and tachyarrhythmias. More recent studies documented high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its association with obesity and other risk factors for AF. In addition, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prevents recurrence of AF after cardioversion. In, OSA the highest risk for sudden death is at night in comparison to general population most of who die suddenly between six and noon. This observation suggests that hypoxia or other nocturnal abnormality, trigger sudden death. An important recent finding is the beneficial effect of CPAP on sudden death. The role of pacing in OSA remains controversial. In general, pacemaker therapy is not indicated in patients with nocturnal bradyarrhythmias. However, some authors recommend pacing in those with severe nocturnal bradyarrhythmias not tolerating or not responding to CPAP. According to a recent study, 59% of patients with permanent pacemaker have OSA.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010138	Pacemaker, Artificial	A device designed to stimulate, by electric impulses, contraction of the heart muscles. It may be temporary (external) or permanent (internal or internal-external).	Cardiac Pacemaker, Artificial,Artificial Cardiac Pacemaker,Artificial Cardiac Pacemakers,Artificial Pacemaker,Artificial Pacemakers,Cardiac Pacemakers, Artificial,Pacemaker, Artificial Cardiac,Pacemakers, Artificial,Pacemakers, Artificial Cardiac
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001145	Arrhythmias, Cardiac	Any disturbances of the normal rhythmic beating of the heart or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. Cardiac arrhythmias can be classified by the abnormalities in HEART RATE, disorders of electrical impulse generation, or impulse conduction.	Arrhythmia,Arrythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmias,Cardiac Dysrhythmia,Arrhythmia, Cardiac,Dysrhythmia, Cardiac
D016757	Death, Sudden, Cardiac	Unexpected rapid natural death due to cardiovascular collapse within one hour of initial symptoms. It is usually caused by the worsening of existing heart diseases. The sudden onset of symptoms, such as CHEST PAIN and CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS, particularly VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA, can lead to the loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest followed by biological death. (from Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed., 2005)	Cardiac Sudden Death,Sudden Cardiac Death,Cardiac Arrest, Sudden,Sudden Cardiac Arrest,Arrest, Sudden Cardiac,Cardiac Arrests, Sudden,Cardiac Death, Sudden,Death, Cardiac Sudden,Death, Sudden Cardiac,Sudden Death, Cardiac
D020181	Sleep Apnea, Obstructive	A disorder characterized by recurrent apneas during sleep despite persistent respiratory efforts. It is due to upper airway obstruction. The respiratory pauses may induce HYPERCAPNIA or HYPOXIA. Cardiac arrhythmias and elevation of systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures may occur. Frequent partial arousals occur throughout sleep, resulting in relative SLEEP DEPRIVATION and daytime tiredness. Associated conditions include OBESITY; ACROMEGALY; MYXEDEMA; micrognathia; MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY; adenotonsilar dystrophy; and NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p395)	Obstructive Sleep Apnea,Upper Airway Resistance Sleep Apnea Syndrome,Apnea, Obstructive Sleep,OSAHS,Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome,Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome,Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Obstructive,Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea,Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive,Syndrome, Upper Airway Resistance, Sleep Apnea,Apneas, Obstructive Sleep,Obstructive Sleep Apneas,Sleep Apneas, Obstructive