Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Improves Heterogeneity of R-R intervals in a Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Intern Med. 2019 May 1;58(9):1279-1282. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1837-18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with the occurrence of various kinds of bradyarrhythmia and tachyarrhythmia. The activation of the autonomic nerve system is an important causative factor of the pathogenesis of the arrhythmia in OSA patients. Previous studies have shown that the R-R interval is an effective parameter for evaluating autonomic nerve activities. However, whether or not OSA can induce variations in the R-R interval and whether or not continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can improve these variations in OSA patients are unclear. The present study explored whether or not CPAP therapy could improve the regularity of the R-R interval.

Keywords: R-R interval; bradyarrhythmia; continuous positive airway pressure therapy; obstructive sleep apnea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery
  • Atrioventricular Block / etiology
  • Atrioventricular Block / therapy*
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
  • Bradycardia / etiology
  • Bradycardia / therapy
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polysomnography
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Sinus Arrest, Cardiac / etiology
  • Sinus Arrest, Cardiac / therapy
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy*