Implication of Apnea‐Hypopnea Index, a Measure of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity, for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Background Obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA ) is common and independently associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between apnea‐hypopnea index ( AHI ), a measure of OSA severity, and prevalence of AF in a large series of patients with HCM. Methods and Results A total of 555 patients with HCM who underwent sleep evaluations were retrospectively included. Data from polysomnography studies, echocardiography, and baseline clinical characteristics were collected. OSA was present in 327 patients (58.9%). Patients with OSA or higher AHI quartiles were older, more often male, had a higher body mass index, and more clinical comorbidities. The prevalence of AF increased in patients with OSA (23.9% versus 13.6%, P =0.003) or across AHI quartiles (9.4%, 17.3%, 26.6%, and 25.2%, respectively; P for trend <0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, New York Heart Association class, left atrial diameter, hypertension, oxygen desaturation index, and obstructive HCM , highest AHI quartile (odds ratio, 4.42; 95% CI , 1.35–14.52 [ P =0.014]) or moderate to severe OSA (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% CI , 1.28–7.20 [ P =0.012]) but not presence of OSA (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI , 0.84–2.97 [ P =0.153]) were significantly associated with AF . Higher AHI levels were also factors associated with persistent or permanent AF (highest AHI quartile with odds ratio, 10.96; 95% CI , 1.07–111.85). Conclusions Severity of AHI level is independently associated with AF in patients with HCM. Clinical trials are required to determine the benefits of OSA treatment on AF in patients with HCM.

Clinical predictors of the presence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

“…Despite improvements of pharmacological, surgical and interventional therapies in management of HCM, patients are at risk for a number of adverse events such as progressive heart failure, arrhythmias and sudden death 2 – 4 . Recently, increasing evidences from our works 5 , 6 and others 7 , 8 showed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is extremely common among patients with HCM, with a prevalence ranging from 32 to 71%. OSA is independently associated with cardiac remodeling 9 , atrial fibrillation 5 and ventricular arrhythmias 10 which are risk factors for cardiac death in patients with HCM.…”

“…Recently, increasing evidences from our works 5 , 6 and others 7 , 8 showed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is extremely common among patients with HCM, with a prevalence ranging from 32 to 71%. OSA is independently associated with cardiac remodeling 9 , atrial fibrillation 5 and ventricular arrhythmias 10 which are risk factors for cardiac death in patients with HCM. Therefore, screening and management of OSA have great potential to improve clinical outcomes in HCM.…”

Canonical Pathways Associated with Blood Pressure Response to Sleep Apnea Treatment: A Post Hoc Analysis

“…3). Diverse studies reported an association between cardiac hypertrophy and the severity of OSA [22, 23]. In addition, it is important to address that RH may lead to cardiac hypertrophy [24].…”

Cardiovascular Disorders Triggered by Obstructive Sleep Apnea—A Focus on Endothelium and Blood Components

“…Chronic OSA induces sympathetic activation followed by a structural and electrical remodeling of the atria contributing to the AF maintenance and recurrence of AF paroxysms [ 84 ]. Higher AHI is a known factor associated with persistent or permanent AF [ 85 ].…”