Reduction of central sleep apnea in heart failure patients with beta-blockers therapy.

Background: Sleep apneas are frequent in patients with heart failure (HF). Estimate of the pre-beta blocker age (BB) point out to 45% of central apneas in these patients.

Objective: Assess the influence of BB in central apneas and their interference in the quality of sleep and life of patients with heart failure.

Methods: 65 patients with heart failure underwent diagnostic polysomnography. Polysomnography have been assessed according to the use or not of BB. On the day of examination, the patients answered the Minnesota questionnaire for quality of life with HF. After 6 and 12 months from the polysomnography date, all patients were contacted by phone, in order to repeat the Minnesota questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of sleep apnea (IAH > 15/h) hit 46.1% in the total population, however, central sleep apnea was identified in 18.4% of patients. The use of BB, in a multivariate analysis, was the only predictor of a minor index of central apnea and hypopnea (IAH) (p=0.002), greater saturation (p=0.02) and smaller average desaturation of oxygen (p=0.03). Additionally, the use of BB could predict a better quality of life after 6 and 12 months (p=0.002 and 0.001 respectively) and a smaller number admissions in these periods (p=0.001 and p=0.05 respectively).

Conclusion: The use BB reduced the rate of central sleep apnea in total population, if we compare to literature data. Additionally, the BB improved parameters of quality of sleep and life of patients with heart failure.