Current Cardiology Reviews

Author(s): Rita Marinheiro*, Leonor Parreira, Pedro Amador, Dinis Mesquita, José Farinha, Marta Fonseca, Tatiana Duarte, Cláudia Lopes, Andreia Fernandes and Rui Caria

DOI: 10.2174/1573403X14666181012153252

DownloadDownload PDF Flyer Cite As
Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Page: [64 - 74] Pages: 11

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition thought to increase in the future. Being mostly undiagnosed, the most serious complications are cardiovascular diseases, among which are arrhythmias. Controversy remains as to whether OSA is a primary etiologic factor for ventricular arrhythmias, because of the high incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities in OSA patients. However, there is mostly a strong evidence of a relation between OSA and ventricular arrhythmias. A few mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for this association and some electrocardiographic changes have also been demonstrated to be more frequent in OSA patients. Treatment of OSA with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has the potential to reduce arrhythmias and confer a mortality benefit.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea, ventricular arrhythmias, premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, sudden cardiac death, continuous positive airway pressure.