A Systematic Review of the Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Authors:Akhil Raghuram MD, Ryan Clay MD, Anusha Kumbam MD, Larisa G. Tereshchenko MD, Akram Khan MD.

Summary:

Pooled observational and case studies measuring ventricular ectopy, VT, VF, etc., in OSA vs non-OSA or in different severity groups.

Key Findings:

OSA associated with more ventricular ectopy, higher odds of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

- Higher QTc dispersion and HRV

- No association to VT or VF

Evidence for CPAP reducing arrhythmogenicity is mixed / limited. Stronger associations when hypoxemia or severity metrics are worse.

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