Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical Features and Screening Diagnostic Options

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF).

A total of 179 patients aged 34-81 years were included in the study. The median age was 63 years (interquartile range: 56-69 years). Of these patients, 105 (58.7%) were men, and 74 (41.3%) were women; there were cases of paroxysmal (n = 99), persistent (n = 64), and permanent AF (n = 16). All patients underwent investigations including respiratory sleep monitoring, echocardiography, and 24 h Holter electrocardiography monitoring. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0.

OSA was detected in 131 (73.2%) patients. In patients with OSA, paroxysmal AF was commonest (n = 65), followed by persistent AF (n = 51) and permanent AF (n = 15). The patients with sleep apnea had increased body mass index (33.6 kg/m2; p = 0.02), waist circumference (114 cm; p < 0.001), and neck circumference (42 cm; p < 0.001) values. HF (OR 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4-5.9; p = 0.004) and type 2 diabetes (OR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.5-8.3; p = 0.001) were more common in patients with AF and OSA. The STOP-BANG scale (AUC = 0.706 ± 0.044; 95% CI: 0.619-0.792; p < 0.001) and the Berlin questionnaire (AUC = 0.699 ± 0.044; 95% CI: 0.614-0.785) had a higher predictive ability for identifying sleep apnea.

Patients with AF demonstrate a high prevalence of OSA and an increased association with cardiovascular comorbidities. The STOP-BANG scale and the Berlin questionnaire can be used to screen for OSA in patients with AF.