Atrial Fibrillation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Management Strategies

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is identified by apnea or hypopnea of the upper respiratory tract, which is associated with decreased oxygen saturation or awakening from sleep. A severe and prevalent association with OSA is atrial fibrillation (AF). This review article outlined numerous studies to understand the pathogenic pathways linked with developing OSA-associated AF and the therapeutic and preventive options available to reduce AF. The article looked for multiple risk factors common to OSA and AF. In addition, it has reviewed several therapeutic modalities such as continuous positive air pressure (CPAP), weight loss, upper airway stimulation (UAS), and other novel treatment options to find their efficiency in decreasing the outcome of AF in OSA patients. Since OSA often goes undiagnosed, this article emphasizes the importance of early screening in patients with AF and other comorbid conditions such as obesity, advanced age, diabetes, hypertension, and many more. The article focuses on the importance of preventive approaches that can be easily implemented, such as behavioral modifications.