The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation using a contact force–sensing catheter

Adherence to CPAP for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation: A "real-world" analysis

BACKGROUND

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) is well established, as the existing literature has concluded that sleep apnea creates a unique, complex, and dynamic substrate for AF with various pathophysiological mechanisms. Little is known about the role of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in reversing the risk of AF recurrence in patients with OSA. Awareness of the therapeutic effects of CPAP in preventing AF recurrence postablation will help create a multidisciplinary team of doctors to treat this complex population of patients.

OBJECTIVES

The goals of this study were to examine the effect of CPAP adherence on AF-free survival post-catheter ablation and to identify the indicated average CPAP use to maximize AF-free survival postablation.

METHODS

We selected 190 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and who had a concurrent diagnosis of OSA. In this retrospective case-control study, 97 (51%) patients with OSA adherent to CPAP use were carefully matched with 93 (49%) patients who were not adherent to CPAP guidelines for patients with OSA.

RESULTS

The mean age of the population was 66.3 ± 9.4 years, and 78% were male. Patients in the adherent group had a recurrence rate of 24% until their last follow-up visit compared with 42% in the nonadherent group (P=.02). In a stepwise multivariate regression model, adherence to CPAP was independently associated with lower chances of composite AF recurrence with an odds ratio of 0.24 (CI 95% = 0.08-0.68; P = .007). Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, we identified the optimal average nightly CPAP duration required to observe a clinical benefit and reperformed the above analysis. With a new cutoff set at 287 minutes of CPAP per night, the adjusted odds ratio for AF recurrence was 0.17 (CI 95% = 0.12-0.71; P=.004). In a secondary analysis, patients who were not adherent to optimal CPAP use did not show any benefit compared with patients who did not use CPAP at all (56% vs 59%; P = .75).

CONCLUSION

Consistent nightly CPAP use offers a 3-year AF-free survival postablation in 1 of 5 patients with OSA who undergo ablation for AF. Inconsistent CPAP use, defined as <287 minutes per night, offers no benefit compared with no CPAP.

The Role of Early Risk Factor Modification and Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Substrate Remodeling Prevention

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, contributing to significant morbidity and healthcare burden worldwide. This review evaluates the role of early risk factor modification and timely catheter ablation in preventing AF progression and improving patient outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published after the ESC 2020 guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF up to the release of the updated ESC 2024 guidelines for the management of AF. Keywords included "atrial fibrillation", "catheter ablation", "risk factor management", and "psychological stress". Relevant clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were included, with particular emphasis on novel studies contributing to the ESC 2024 updated recommendations. Traditional risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, alcohol consumption, and physical exertion are well established in AF progression. Early evidence also suggests a role for psychological stress and mood disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in increasing AF susceptibility. Psychological stress and mood disorders are linked to AF primarily through behavioral changes such as poor medication adherence, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and increased substance use. Recent guidelines recommend early catheter ablation in selected patients to reduce AF burden, prevent atrial remodeling, and improve quality of life, particularly in those resistant to antiarrhythmic drugs or individuals with AF-induced cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, integrating electrophysiologists, cardiologists, and primary care providers with structured risk factor interventions and shared decision-making. Despite these advances, gaps remain in defining optimal timing, patient selection, and long-term benefits of catheter ablation in persistent AF, necessitating the need for further research. By integrating early intervention, personalized treatment strategies, and collaborative care models, we may usher in a paradigm shift in AF management, improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes and patient quality of life.

Clinical impact of smoking on atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation

BACKGROUND

The clinical impact of smoking on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) have contradictory results in previous studies, performed on Asian populations.

METHODS AND AIM

Smoking habit and other cardiovascular risk-factors were assessed in patients who underwent their first radiofrequency PVI for symptomatic AF. The study aims to assess the clinical impact of smoking on AF recurrences after PVI in a contemporary European cohort of patients.

RESULTS

The study included 186 consecutive patients (135 males [72.6%]) with a mean age of 63.4 ± 9.7 years. Current smokers resulted 29 (15.7%). No statistically significant baseline differences were detected between current smokers and non-current smokers. After a follow-up of 418 ± 246 days, AF recurrence was higher in currently smoking patients vs. non-currently smoker patients, the latter intended as a combination between previous smokers and never smokers (34.5% vs. 14% p = 0.01). A previous smoking habit was not associated with increased risk of AF recurrence when compared with patients who never smoked (13.2% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.23), while a current smoking habit impacted on AF recurrence in comparison with previous smokers (p = 0.01) and never smokers (p = 0.04). The increased incidence of AF recurrence in current smokers was consistent also considering only paroxysmal AF (31.4% vs 9.6%, p = 0.012) or persistent AF (50% vs 31.2%, p = 0.03). Smoking (HR =2.96 95% CI 1.32-6.64) and persistent AF (HR =2.64 95% CI 1.22-5.7) resulted independent predictors of AF recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of AF recurrences after PVI, both in paroxysmal and in persistent AF.

Risk factors modification in atrial fibrillation: a brief review

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by fibrillatory waves in the atria with an irregular ventricular rhythm. It is the most common arrhythmia treated in clinical practice. AF is associated with approximately five-fold increase in risk of cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and two-fold increase in cognitive dysfunction and all-cause mortality.

AREAS COVERED

Multiple risk factors have been identified for development of AF including age, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Primary and secondary prevention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of AF can have a dramatic clinical and economic impact. Multiple studies have shown that lifestyle interventions can reduce predisposing factors, reverse the pathophysiology behind AF, and decrease disease burden. In this brief review we aim at exploring the current state of knowledge regarding risk factor modifications that decrease incidence and prevalence of AF.

EXPERT OPINION

This is an evolving field of research and further studies to elucidate the magnitude of effect of these interventions as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms driving these effects are underway.

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy might be an effective strategy on reduction of atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: insights from the pooled studies

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent and modifiable risk factor in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effective of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on AF patients with OSA after ablation is elusive.

Methods

Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to February 1, 2023. Studies comprising the AF recurrence rate between the CPAP therapy group and non-CPAP therapy group for the AF patients with OSA were included. Meanwhile, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to adjust the lower statistical power and random error in this study. Subgroup analysis identified the potential determinants for the AF recurrence rate with CPAP therapy.

Results

A total of eight studies including 1,231 AF patients with OSA were eligible. Compared with non-CPAP treatment group, CPAP treatment group was statistically associated with a lower AF recurrence rate (risk ratio [RR], 0.58; p = 0.000). TSA indicated the firm evidence favoring CPAP group for AF recurrence risk. Three significant intervention-covariate interactions for AF recurrence was identified, including study design, non-paroxysmal AF (PAF) proportion, and CPAP treatment strategy.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that CPAP therapy might be an effective strategy on reducing AF recurrence post-ablation for AF patients with OSA. The CPAP treatment strategy and the non-PAF proportion might be the possible determinants on AF recurrence for AF patients with OSA after ablation.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023398588, identifier (CRD42023398588).

Durability of pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis and systematic review

AIMS

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plays a central role in the interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Uncertainties remain about the durability of ablation lesions from different energy sources. We aimed to systematically review the durability of ablation lesions associated with various PVI-techniques using different energy sources for the treatment of AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Structured systematic database search for articles published between January 2010 and January 2023 reporting PVI-lesion durability as evaluated in the overall cohort through repeat invasive remapping during follow-up. Studies evaluating only a proportion of the initial cohort in redo procedures were excluded. A total of 19 studies investigating 1050 patients (mean age 60 years, 31% women, time to remap 2-7 months) were included. In a pooled analysis, 99.7% of the PVs and 99.4% of patients were successfully ablated at baseline and 75.5% of the PVs remained isolated and 51% of the patients had all PVs persistently isolated at follow-up across all energy sources. In a pooled analysis of the percentages of PVs durably isolated during follow-up, the estimates of RFA were the lowest of all energy sources at 71% (95% CI 69-73, 11 studies), but comparable with cryoballoon (79%, 95%CI 74-83, 3 studies). Higher durability percentages were reported in PVs ablated with laser-balloon (84%, 95%CI 78-89, one study) and PFA (87%, 95%CI 84-90, 2 studies).

CONCLUSION

We observed no significant difference in the durability of the ablation lesions of the four evaluated energies after adjusting for procedural and baseline populational characteristics.

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

Current Evidence on Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation: Modifiable Risk Factors and the Effects of Risk Factor Intervention

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most encountered arrhythmias in clinical practice. It is also estimated that the absolute AF burden may increase by greater than 60% by 2050. It is inevitable that AF will become one of the largest epidemics in the world and may pose a major health problem for countries. Although AF rarely causes mortality in the acute period, it causes a significant increase in mortality and morbidity, including a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke, a twofold increase in dementia, and a twofold increase in myocardial infarction in the chronic period. Despite all the advances in the treatment of AF, it is better understood day by day that preventing AF may play a key role in reducing AF and its related complications. Modification of the main modifiable factors such as quitting smoking, abstaining from alcohol, changing eating habits, and exercise seems to be the first step in preventing AF. The strict adherence to the treatment process of secondary causes predisposing to AF such as DM, hypertension, obesity, and sleep apnea is another step in the prevention of AF. Both an individual approach and global public health campaigns can be highly beneficial to reduce the risk of AF. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between modifiable risk factors and AF, and the impact of possible interventions on these factors in preventing or reducing the AF burden in the light of recently published guidelines and studies.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Decreases the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea after Radiofrequency Ablation

This study aimed to determine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after radiofrequency ablation (RFCA).OSA predicts recurrence of AF in patients with AF and OSA after RFCA. However, the effect of CPAP therapy on recurrence of AF in these patients after RFCA is poorly known.All 122 patients who underwent RFCA from 2017 to 2020 were diagnosed OSA by polysomnography. A total of 62 patients were treated by CPAP, while the remaining 60 were not treated by CPAP. The recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia and use of antiarrhythmic drugs were compared between the two groups during a follow-up of 12 months. The outcome of these patients with OSA was compared to a group of 60 AF patients undergoing RFCA without OSA.Patients undergoing CPAP therapy had a higher AF-free survival rate compared to non-CPAP-treated patients (70.3% versus 31.5%; P = 0.02). LAD was associated with the risk of AF recurrence in patients with OSA (HR per mm increase: 1.0; 95% CI: 1.06-1.21; P = 0.01). The CPAP nonusers had more than two-fold increased risk of AF recurrence following pulmonary vein isolation (HR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.21-4.96; P = 0.02).CPAP treatment highly increased arrhythmia-free survival in AF patients accompanied by OSA after RFCA and reduced recurrence of AF in these patients.

Prevalence and Assessment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In this study, we sought to estimate the prevalence of concomitant sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to systematically evaluate how SDB is assessed in this population.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase and Cinahl databases through August 2020 for studies reporting on SDB in a minimum 100 patients with AF. For quantitative analysis, studies were required to have systematically assessed for SDB in consecutive AF patients. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated with the use of the random effects model. Weighted mean differences and odds ratios were calculated when possible to assess the strength of association between baseline characteristics and SDB.

RESULTS

The search yielded 2758 records, of which 33 studies (n = 23,894 patients) met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis and 13 studies (n = 2660 patients) met the meta-analysis criteria. The pooled SDB prevalence based on an SDB diagnosis cutoff of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/h was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70%-86%; P < 0.001). For moderate-to-severe SDB (AHI ≥ 15/h), the pooled SDB prevalence was 40% (95% CI 32%-48%; P < 0.001). High degrees of heterogeneity were observed (I² = 96% and 94%, respectively; P < 0.001). Sleep testing with the use of poly(somno)graphy or oximetry was the most common assessment tool used (in 22 studies, 66%) but inconsistent diagnostic thresholds were used.

CONCLUSIONS

SDB is highly prevalent in patients with AF. Wide variation exists in the diagnostic tools and thresholds used to detect concomitant SDB in AF. Prospective systematic testing for SDB in unselected cohorts of AF patients may be required to define the true prevalence of SDB in this population.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with central sleep apnea in clinic patients undergoing diagnostic polysomnography

INTRODUCTION

Sleep apnea is highly prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type, and best studied in the context of AF. However, recent investigations have indicated that central sleep apnea (CSA) may be a risk factor for incident AF. We evaluated the burden of CSA events in patients referred for diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) and whether AF is associated with CSA.

METHODS

We identified patients with and without a history of AF who underwent clinically indicated PSG in a matched manner. OSA was defined as obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥15/h, and CSA was defined as central apnea index (CAI) ≥5/h. The association between AF and CSA was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 465 patients included, mean AHI was 25.5/h, and mean CAI was 1.7/h. OSA prevalence was 53.3%, while CSA prevalence was 8.4%. The prevalence of OSA in the AF and non-AF groups (54.7% vs 52.0%, P = .56) was similar. CSA was more common in the AF group (12.3% vs 4.4%, P = .002). In multivariable analysis, AF (OR: 2.19 [1.02, 5.03], P = .05), male gender (OR: 2.5 [1.17, 5.84], P = .02), and older age (OR: 2.44, [1.16, 5.46], P = .02) were associated with CSA.

CONCLUSION

Though CSA is much less common than OSA in patients with AF, the presence of AF is independently associated with CSA.