Prevalence of sleep disordered breathing in a heart failure program

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is increasingly recognized as a significant comorbidity in heart failure (HF).
• SDB contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with HF, particularly those with systolic left ventricular dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of SDB in stable heart failure patients, irrespective of ejection fraction.
• To assess the utility of outpatient screening for SDB in a heart failure clinic setting.

Main Methods:

• A prospective screening study was conducted in a heart failure clinic over three consecutive days.
• Patients underwent outpatient screening for SDB using a device collecting thoracic impedance, oxyhemoglobin saturation, and ECG data.
• Patients with moderate to severe SDB were referred for polysomnography and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy confirmation.

Main Results:

• 42% of stable heart failure patients screened positive for moderate to severe SDB.
• 55% had mild or no significant SDB.
• 14 out of 16 patients with moderate to severe SDB received subsequent treatment via CPAP therapy.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of SDB exists in stable heart failure patients, even when receiving optimal medical care.
• Outpatient screening for SDB is feasible and identifies a significant number of HF patients requiring further evaluation and treatment.
• Addressing SDB through therapies like CPAP may be crucial for managing heart failure outcomes.