2. Bradyarrhythmias, Sick Sinus Syndrome & Carotid Sinus Syndrome

The multicenter SA&AF study prospectively evaluated patients (Pts) with SSS and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) to test the hypothesis that sleep apnea (SA) may worsen the arrhythmic scenario. Methods 72 pts (36 M, 77±6 yrs) were enrolled and implanted with a pacemaker Selection 9000 (Vitatron). After one month for diagnostics and therapies optimization, Pts were followed-up for 4 months. SA Group was diagnosed according to at least 2 criteria of the Berlin Questionnaire, already validated for this purpose. Remaining Pts were the control Group. Results 20 Pts (28%, 75±7 years) were in SA Group and 52 (72%, 78±6 years) in control Group. Both were equivalent for sex, age and body mass index. 18/20 Pts in SA Group (90%) and 23/52 in control Group (44%) had hypertension (p=0.0004). Both Groups did not show any statistically significant difference for AF episodes/month (7±13 vs. 36±122) and AF burden (0.3±0.6 vs. 2.0±4.8). The daily distribution of AF episodes/month did not show any statistically significant difference in the 2 groups. Conclusions In Pts paced for SSS and documented PAF, SA does not worsen AF scenario.