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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Jun 26, 2013; 5(6): 157-163
Published online Jun 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i6.157
Published online Jun 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i6.157
Atrial fibrillation in obstructive sleep apnea
Sandeep K Goyal, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, United States
Abhishek Sharma, Division of Internal Medicine, MaimonidesMedical Center, New York, NY 11219, United States
Author contributions: Goyal SK was involved in conception of this review, drafting the initial manuscript, manuscript revision and guidance; Sharma A performed the Literature research and drafted the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Sandeep K Goyal, MD, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 383 Preston Research Building, 2220 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, United States. sandeep.k.goyal@vanderbilt.edu
Telephone: +1-615-322800 Fax: +1-888-9472968
Received: January 8, 2013
Revised: April 14, 2013
Accepted: May 17, 2013
Published online: June 26, 2013
Processing time: 171 Days and 7.9 Hours
Revised: April 14, 2013
Accepted: May 17, 2013
Published online: June 26, 2013
Processing time: 171 Days and 7.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked with the initiation and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients with OSA have lower success with therapies for AF. Continuous positive airway pressure has been shown to be effective in treatment of OSA and there is some evidence suggesting its role in improving AF control in patients with OSA. In this article, we review and discuss the available data explaining the potential pathophysiological mechanisms linking OSA and AF as well as the therapeutic and prognostic implications of the presence of OSA in AF patients.