Meta-Analysis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea as Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation

May 11, 2011
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Authors:
Ng CY, Liu T, Shehata M, Stevens S, Chugh SS, Wang X.
Citation:
Am J Cardiol 2011;Apr 28:[Epub ahead of print].
Summary By:
Fred Morady, MD, FACC

Study Questions:

Does obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affect the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF)?

Methods:

This was a meta-analysis of six studies that examined the relationship between OSA and the recurrence rate of AF after RFCA.

Results:

There were a total of 958 patients with OSA and 3,037 patients without OSA. The duration of follow-up ranged from 7 to 32 months. The risk of recurrent AF after RFCA was 25% higher in the OSA group.

Conclusions:

The authors concluded that OSA is associated with lower long-term efficacy after RFCA of AF.

Perspective:

This meta-analysis does not address the issue of whether treatment of OSA prevents recurrent AF after RFCA. In the largest individual study included in the meta-analysis, 640 patients had OSA. The presence of nonpulmonary vein triggers and the failure to use a continuous positive airway pressure device were significant predictors of recurrent AF. Therefore, it is important to identify and adequately treat OSA in patients who undergo catheter ablation of AF.

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, SCD/Ventricular Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias, Sleep Apnea

Keywords: Recurrence, Follow-Up Studies, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Catheter Ablation, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive


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