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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Does beta-blocker treatment influence central sleep apnoea?
Thomas Köhnlein1, Tobias Welte
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (Hannover Medical School), Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany. thomas.koehnlein@web.de
Respiratory Medicine
|January 16, 2007
Summary
Beta-blockers like metoprolol and carvedilol significantly reduce central sleep apnoea (CSA) severity in chronic heart failure patients. This treatment improves breathing control during sleep, enhancing overall sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Chronic severe heart failure often involves disrupted central breathing control.
- Beta-blockers can improve breathing during wakefulness, but their effect on sleep breathing disorders is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and severity of nocturnal breathing disturbances in heart failure patients on beta-blocker therapy.
- To compare central sleep apnoea (CSA) in patients treated with metoprolol or carvedilol versus those untreated.
Main Methods:
- Fifty patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (NYHA class II-IV, LVEF ≤35%) underwent full polysomnography.
- Patients were categorized based on treatment with metoprolol, carvedilol, or no beta-blockers.
Main Results:
- The mean Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index was significantly lower in patients treated with metoprolol (7.4±8.5) and carvedilol (8.7±8.1) compared to beta-blocker-free patients (19.8±14.2).
- Arousal index, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness showed similar improvements across treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Long-term treatment with sufficient doses of metoprolol or carvedilol is linked to reduced prevalence and severity of CSA in advanced chronic heart failure.
- Beta-blocker therapy positively impacts nocturnal breathing disorders in heart failure patients.
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