Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Sleep apnea syndrome is a common sleep disorder, which has a negative impact on health and quality of life. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. 52 patients with atrial fibrillation in the Department of Internal Cardiology at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital had loud snoring and/or evidence of sleep apnea. A case–control study of 52 patients (case group: 38, control group: 14) with symptoms of loud snoring and/or evidence of suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) admitted to the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy’s Hospital, from May 2018 to May 2019. Sleep apnea syndrome was measured with Embletta Gold, USA. Data analysis used SPSS 20.0 software. Common age is above 60 years old (69.7%); men account for the majority (63.46%). Loud snoring symptoms during sleep, daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating at work are the majority in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (71.80%, 82.60% and 92.40% respectively). There is a positive correlation between the AHI index and the severity of atrial fibrillation by EHRA (r = 0.485; p < 0.05), left atrial diameter (r = 0.020; p > 0.05) and cardiovascular factors (r = 0.354; p < 0.05). Atrial fibrillation patients have a higher incidence of sleep apnea syndrome due to the general population and a correlation between the severity of atrial fibrillation and the AHI index, with cardiovascular risk factors.