Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Cardiac Arrhythmias

Sleep apnoea affects up to 1.5 million adults in the United Kingdom (UK). This puts this population at risk of reduced oxygen levels during sleep, poor sleep and increased breathing effort . All of the above put stress on the body and are proven to increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure and vascular problems. This can lead to strokes, heart disease and death. Sleep apnoea patients are at much higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Even with continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) treatment (which is the mainstay in sleep apnoea and does help to reduce arrhythmias) patients are still at higher risk of heart disease and stroke. An implantable loop recorder (Reveal-LINQ) inserted into sleep apnoea patients will be able to continuously monitor a patient's heart rhythm. This will determine the incidence of arrhythmia in sleep apnoea patients. Any significant abnormalities in either arm of the study will be treated as per National Health Service guidelines and best care. The cost associated with this method of intervention will also be considered. If there is a high prevalence of arrhythmia a future larger trial, involving much larger numbers and multiple centres, could be conducted to demonstrate reduced risk of stroke or heart attack using this method of arrhythmia detection and management. Cardiovascular biomarkers, cardiac function, autonomic function and magnetocardiography in these patients could shed light on the mechanisms which cause increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.