Obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation (AFib) are interconnected conditions that together elevate cardiovascular risks.
Having one increases the likelihood of developing the other. The irregular heartbeat of AFib, combined with the breathing disruptions of sleep apnea, can result in life-threatening complications.
Catheter ablation is a standard treatment for AFib that creates scars within the heart to interrupt irregular electrical impulses. However, patients with both AFib and sleep apnea have historically experienced poorer long-term outcomes and higher recurrence rates after ablation.
A new study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology reveals that catheter ablation still offers significant benefits for patients with both conditions. The procedure was associated with a 40% reduction in major cardiovascular events and a 70% decline in all-cause mortality.
Beyond survival, ablation also reduced the risk of embolisms and strokes. These findings suggest that catheter ablation can lead to improved long-term outcomes even for high-risk patients with comorbid sleep apnea.
Lead author Dr. Ghassan Bidaoui emphasized the need for integrated care, highlighting that sleep apnea should not disqualify patients from considering ablation. Dr. Nassir Marrouche, co-author and director of the Tulane University Heart and Vascular Institute, called the study a ‘game-changer’ for managing this population.
The study utilized data from over 18,000 patients in the global TriNetX network. Half received catheter ablation, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of long-term outcomes in this high-risk group.
AFib affects over 40 million people globally, while up to 1 billion may have sleep apnea. With aging populations, the prevalence is expected to rise. The authors hope this study encourages earlier adoption of catheter ablation in patients with both conditions.
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