Long-term Impact of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Arrhythmia and Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Sleep Apnea.

Introduction: Autonomic dysfunction can alter heart rate variability and increase the incidence of arrhythmia. We analyzed the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on this pathophysiological phenomenon in patients with severe sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Methods: Consecutive patients with recently diagnosed severe sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome were prospectively considered for inclusion.