Positional sleep disordered breathing in patients with arrhythmia. Should we advise our patients to avoid supine position during sleep

Abstract Background Sleep disordered breathing [SDB] is a well-known problem in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Around 50% of pts. with SDB present positional sleep disordered breathing [PSDB]. Aims The aim of this study was the investigation of the frequency of PSDB in patients with different forms of arrhythmias. Methods We analyzed the presence of SDB in 53 pts. with diagnosed atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal or persistent), 88 pts. before ablation of ventricular ectopy and 110 pts. that had Holter monitoring due to the symptoms suggesting arrhythmia. Results Finally, we could collect all the data in 243 pts. – 150 men 93 women. AHI   15 in 107 (44%) pts. Moderate sleep disordered breathing was diagnosed in 59 (24%) pts. (AHI 15–30), severe sleep disordered breathing (AHI > 30) was recognized in 48 (20%) pts. In all of the analyzed groups, AHI in supine position was significantly higher than in nonsupine position. PSDB was recorded in 55% of pts. with AHI > 15 and in 29% of pts. (n = 14) with AHI > 30. Percentage of time in supine position was an independent factor related with the presence of at least moderate or severe sleep disordered breathing. Conclusion 1. Moderate or severe SDB is recorded in 44% of pts. with arrhythmias, almost 50% of them have positional SDB. 2. Percent of time of sleeping in supine position has an important independent impact on the presence of SDB. 3. Big studies should be conducted to verify if avoidance of sleeping in supine position may improve clinical outcome. Condensed abstract Sleep disordered breathing SDB is a frequent problem of pts. with cardiovascular diseases. It may influence the prognosis. Moderate or severe SDB is recorded in 44% of pts. with arrhythmias, almost 50% of them have positional SDB. Percent of time of sleeping in supine position has an important independent impact on the presence of SDB. 3. Big studies should be conducted to verify if avoidance of sleeping in supine position may improve clinical outcome. What is new? - The presence of positional sleep disordered breathing in pts. with arrhythmias is reported. - Positional dependence of the disordered breathing is presented even in pts. with almost normal AHI results.