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Obstructive sleep apnea and outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism: A large-scale database study
Saud Alawad1, Nawaf Al-Saeed1, Ahmad Jarrar2
1Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases pulmonary embolism (PE) risk but lowers short-term mortality and cardiac arrest rates post-diagnosis. Further research is needed to understand this complex relationship.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition with known cardiovascular implications.
- The impact of OSA on acute outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).
- To compare 30-day mortality and cardiac arrest incidence in PE patients with and without OSA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing the TriNetX global health research network.
- Two cohorts: adult patients with OSA and acute PE, and adult patients with PE without OSA.
- Propensity score matching was employed to control for demographic and comorbidity differences, with a one-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Patients with OSA had a higher incidence and prevalence of PE.
- Following propensity score matching, individuals with OSA and PE showed significantly lower risks of cardiac arrest (RR 0.636) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.555) within one month post-diagnosis compared to non-OSA PE patients.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Despite increased PE risk, patients with OSA exhibit a significantly lower probability of short-term mortality or cardiac arrest after PE diagnosis.
- The complex relationship between OSA and PE outcomes warrants further investigation into underlying mechanisms and clinical significance.
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