Self-reported sleep pattern and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Increasing evidence has shown the relationship between sleep and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association of different sleep patterns with AF recurrence after catheter ablation was rarely studied. We aimed to assess the role of different sleep behaviors in the risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

A total of 416 consecutive participants from Zhongda hospital of Southeast University were finally analyzed. Sleep patterns were defined by chronotype, sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, and daytime sleepiness. A total of 208 patients (50.0%) had a healthy sleep pattern within a mean follow-up of 32.42 ± 18.18 months. The observed number of patients with AF recurrence was 10 (50.0%), 80 (42.6%), and 40 (19.2%) in unhealthy, intermediate and healthy sleep groups, respectively (p < .01). After adjusting covariates, unhealthy sleep pattern was significantly associated with AF recurrence [hazard ratio = 3.47 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.726-6.979, p < .001)]. Sleep disorders such as inadequate sleep time (time <7 h or >8 h), insomnia and excessive sleepiness during daytime were associated with a higher risk of recurrence. Otherwise, improvement in sleep seemed to be associated with decreased risk of AF recurrence.

This retrospective study indicates that adherence to a healthy sleep pattern is associated with a lower risk of AF recurrence. Also, improved sleep before ablation is associated with a lower risk of AF recurrence.