Sleep apnea treatment to prevent irregular heartbeat recurrence

This study looks at whether a breathing device called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can help prevent atrial fibrillation—an irregular heartbeat—from coming back after a catheter ablation procedure. The study focuses on patients who have both atrial fibrillation and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep). Researchers want to understand whether treating the sleep apnea with this medication can improve the success of heart rhythm treatment.

Patients with both an irregular heartbeat and sleep apnea often have lower success rates when they undergo a procedure to fix their heart rhythm. Recent research suggests that treating sleep apnea might help prevent the irregular heartbeat from returning, but doctors need more real-world evidence to be sure.