Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea decreases the recurrence of atrial and ventricular ectopy in patients with atrial fibrillation

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has been recognized as an independent risk factor for the development and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). OSA decreases patients' response to anti-arrhythmic medication, and decreases the success rate of surgical ablation of AF. OSA remains undiagnosed in many patients with AF. There is evidence that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment decreases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and oxidative stress, which play a crucial role in the development of AF.

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