The document presents data on respiratory failure during sleep and its effect on the development of atrial fibrillation, ventricular sudden cardiac death and bradiarhythmia.
Pathophysiological consequences of sleep breathing disorders caused by day-night mode and circadian biorhythm collectively affect the electrophysiology of the heart, creating an ideal environment for arrhythmogenic predisposition.
Treatment of respiratory disorders in sleep reduces the frequency of atrial fibrillation recurrences after rhythm control interventions. The authors report that breathing disorders in sleep cause atrial and ventricular changes in the heart rhythm.