Key result
OSA is linked to AF via substrate modification and autonomic imbalance, and treatment improves management.
Why the study?
Obstructive sleep apnea is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, including autonomic contribution and electrophysiological substrate modification, warrant comprehensive review.
This review summarizes the pathophysiological links between obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, emphasizing electrophysiological and autonomic mechanisms to improve evaluation and management.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with its prevalence expected to increase to 12.1 million people in the United States by 2030. Chronic underlying conditions that affect the heart and lungs predispose patients to develop atrial fibrillation. Obstructive sleep apnea is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to elucidate this relationship which includes electrophysiological substrate modification and the contribution of the autonomic nervous system. In this comprehensive review, we highlight important relationships and plausible causality between obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation which will improve our understanding in the evaluation, management, and prevention of atrial fibrillation. This is the most updated comprehensive review of the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation.
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Ifedili et al. (2022) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation through electrophysiological substrate modification and autonomic imbalance, and its treatment improves atrial fibrillation management.
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