Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome as a Trigger of Cardiac Arrhythmias.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a high prevalence in western countries. Many papers have been published with the purpose of demonstrating that OSAS acts as an arrhythmia trigger and is responsible for an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to review our knowledge on this topic. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a lot of evidence demonstrating the relationship between OSAS and arrhythmias, but there remains a lack of an interventional randomized trial to demonstrate that by treating OSAS we can reduce arrhythmia burden. OSAS is a highly prevalent illness in western countries and is clearly related to an increase in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Cardiac arrhythmias are triggered by a repetitive hypoxemia, hypercapnia, acidosis, intrathoracic pressure fluctuations, reoxygenation, and arousals during apnea and hypopnea episodes. Early diagnosis and treatment of these patients can reduce further cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Merged two-way mapping technique: an alternative 3D electroanatomical mapping approach to guide challenging ablation procedures of accessory pathways with bidirectional conduction properties.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of accessory pathways (AP) with bidirectional conduction may be challenging due to issues related to anatomical course or location. OBJECTIVE: We describe an alternative electro-anatomical mapping technique which aims at depicting the entire anatomic course of the AP from the atrial toward the ventricular insertion in order to guide catheter ablation. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with confirmed bidirectional AP conduction and at least one previous ablation procedure or para-Hisian location were included. 3-D electro-anatomical mapping was used to depict the merged 10-ms isochrone area of maximum early activation of both the ventricular and atrial signals during sinus rhythm and ventricular pacing/orthodromic tachycardia, respectively. Catheter ablation was performed within the depicted earliest isochrone area. RESULTS: Acute bidirectional AP conduction block was achieved in all patients 4.2 ± 1.7 s after the first radiofrequency energy pulse was delivered, without reconnection during a 30 ± 10 min post-ablation observation time. No procedural complications were seen. After a mean follow-up period of 9 ± 7 months (range 3 to 16), no recurrences were documented. CONCLUSION: This merged two-way mapping technique is a safe, efficient, and effective technique for ablation of APs with bidirectional conduction.