[Sleep apnoea syndrome in the rehabilitation setting]

Sleep-related breathing disorders are a common finding in patients undergoing cardiological rehabilitation. Sleep apnoea is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders begins with taking a thorough sleep medicine-related patient history and answering dedicated questionnaires. The second step involves portable monitoring to assess oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory flow and effort. Portable monitoring is able to detect the severity of the breathing disorder and forms the basis on which to refer the patient for further sleep laboratory diagnosis or, in the case of positive results, to initiate appropriate treatment. In order to exclude a sleep-related breathing disorder, to distinguish between obstructive and central sleep apnoea, or to diagnose other sleep disorders a cardiorespiratory polysomnography in a sleep laboratory is required. Polysomnography is also needed if comorbidities are present. Appropriate and prompt treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders can shorten cardiological rehabilitation and improve outcomes in this patient group.