Polysomnographic phenotypes and their cardiovascular implications in obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a heterogeneous disorder, and improved understanding of physiologic phenotypes and their clinical implications is needed. We aimed to determine whether routine polysomnographic data can be used to identify OSA phenotypes (clusters) and to assess the associations between the phenotypes and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a multisite, observational US Veteran (n=1247) cohort were performed. Principal components-based clustering was used to identify polysomnographic features in OSA's four pathophysiological domains (sleep architecture disturbance, autonomic dysregulation, breathing disturbance and hypoxia). Using these features, OSA phenotypes were identified by cluster analysis (K-means). Cox survival analysis was used to evaluate longitudinal relationships between clusters and the combined outcome of incident transient ischaemic attack, stroke, acute coronary syndrome or death. RESULTS: Seven patient clusters were identified based on distinguishing polysomnographic features: 'mild', 'periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS)', 'NREM and arousal', 'REM and hypoxia', 'hypopnoea and hypoxia', 'arousal and poor sleep' and 'combined severe'. In adjusted analyses, the risk (compared with 'mild') of the combined outcome (HR (95% CI)) was significantly increased for 'PLMS', (2.02 (1.32 to 3.08)), 'hypopnoea and hypoxia' (1.74 (1.02 to 2.99)) and 'combined severe' (1.69 (1.09 to 2.62)). Conventional apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) severity categories of moderate (15≤AHI<30) and severe (AHI ≥30), compared with mild/none category (AHI <15), were not associated with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients referred for OSA evaluation, routine polysomnographic data can identify physiological phenotypes that capture risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes otherwise missed by conventional OSA severity classification.

The Determining Risk of Vascular Events by Apnea Monitoring (DREAM) study: design, rationale, and methods.

PURPOSE: The goal of the Determining Risk of Vascular Events by Apnea Monitoring (DREAM) study is to develop a prognostic model for cardiovascular outcomes, based on physiologic variables-related to breathing, sleep architecture, and oxygenation-measured during polysomnography in US veterans. METHODS: The DREAM study is a multi-site, retrospective observational cohort study conducted at three Veterans Affairs (VA) centers (West Haven, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Cleveland, OH). Veterans undergoing polysomnography between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004 were included based on referral for evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing, documented history and physical prior to sleep testing, and ≥2-h sleep monitoring. Demographic, anthropomorphic, medical, medication, and social history factors were recorded. Measures to determine sleep apnea, sleep architecture, and oxygenation were recorded from polysomnography. VA Patient Treatment File, VA-Medicare Data, Vista Computerized Patient Record System, and VA Vital Status File were reviewed on dates subsequent to polysomnography, ranging from 0.06 to 8.8 years (5.5 ± 1.3 years; mean ± SD). RESULTS: The study population includes 1840 predominantly male, middle-aged veterans. As designed, the main primary outcome is the composite endpoint of acute coronary syndrome, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or death. Secondary outcomes include incidents of neoplasm, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Laboratory outcomes include measures of glycemic control, cholesterol, and kidney function. (Actual results are pending.) CONCLUSIONS: This manuscript provides the rationale for the inclusion of veterans in a study to determine the association between physiologic sleep measures and cardiovascular outcomes and specifically the development of a corresponding outcome-based prognostic model.

Assessment of Chronic Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure.

Undiagnosed chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure may be encountered during the evaluation of sleep-related breathing disorders at the sleep clinic. This article reviews the mechanism of chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure and the systematic approach to the assessment of specific sleep disorders associated with nocturnal hypoventilation encountered in clinical practice.

Respiratory Management of Patients With Neuromuscular Weakness: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline and Expert Panel Report.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure is a significant concern in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). This CHEST guideline examines the literature on the respiratory management of patients with NMD to provide evidence-based recommendations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An expert panel conducted a systematic review addressing the respiratory management of NMD and applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach for assessing the certainty of the evidence and formulating and grading recommendations. A modified Delphi technique was used to reach a consensus on the recommendations. RESULTS: Based on 128 studies, the panel generated 15 graded recommendations, one good practice statement, and one consensus-based statement. INTERPRETATION: Evidence of best practices for respiratory management in NMD is limited and is based primarily on observational data in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The panel found that pulmonary function testing every 6 months may be beneficial and may be used to initiate noninvasive ventilation (NIV) when clinically indicated. An individualized approach to NIV settings may benefit patients with chronic respiratory failure and sleep-disordered breathing related to NMD. When resources allow, polysomnography or overnight oximetry can help to guide the initiation of NIV. The panel provided guidelines for mouthpiece ventilation, transition to home mechanical ventilation, salivary secretion management, and airway clearance therapies. The guideline panel emphasizes that NMD pathologic characteristics represent a diverse group of disorders with differing rates of decline in lung function. The clinician's role is to add evaluation at the bedside to shared decision-making with patients and families, including respect for patient preferences and treatment goals, considerations of quality of life, and appropriate use of available resources in decision-making.

Therapy for sleep hypoventilation and central apnea syndromes.

OPINION STATEMENT: • Primary Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): We would recommend a trial of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP), acetazolamide, or zolpidem based on thorough consideration of risks and benefits and incorporation of patient preferences.• Central Sleep Apnea Due to Cheyne-Stokes Breathing Pattern in Congestive Heart Failure (CSR-CHF): We would recommend PAP devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) to normalize sleep-disordered breathing after optimizing treatment of heart failure. Oxygen may also be an effective therapy. Acetazolamide and theophylline may be considered if PAP or oxygen is not effective.• Central Sleep Apnea due to High-Altitude Periodic Breathing: We would recommend descent from altitude or supplemental oxygen. Acetazolamide may be used when descent or oxygen are not feasible, or in preparation for ascent to high altitude. Slow ascent may be preventative.• Central Sleep Apnea due to Drug or Substance: If discontinuation or reduction of opiate dose is not feasible or effective, we would recommend a trial of CPAP, and if not successful, treatment with ASV. If ASV is ineffective or if nocturnal hypercapnia develops, bilevel positive airway pressure-spontaneous timed mode (BPAP-ST) is recommended.• Obesity hypoventilation syndrome: We would recommend an initial CPAP trial. If hypoxia or hypercapnia persists on CPAP, BPAP, BPAP-ST or average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS™) is recommended. Tracheostomy with nocturnal ventilation should be considered when the above measures are not effective. Weight loss may be curative.• Neuromuscular or chest wall disease: We would recommend early implementation of BPAP-ST based on thorough consideration of risks and benefits and patient preferences. AVAPS™ may also be considered. We recommend close follow up due to disease progression.

Comparative Performance of Different Respiratory Test Parameters for Detection of Early Respiratory Insufficiency in Patients With ALS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of different respiratory function testing parameters in a multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinic. METHODS: Demographics, clinical data, and respiratory testing parameters were abstracted from the medical records of patients who attended a multidisciplinary ALS clinic from 2008 to 2016. We compared the performance of the 3 primary respiratory test parameters used by Medicare for the initiation of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (forced vital capacity [FVC] < 50% predicted, maximum inspiratory pressure [MIP] < 60 cm H2O, and abnormal overnight pulse oximetry [OvOx]) on how they related to several clinically relevant attributes. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-six patients were identified who underwent at least 1 respiratory test. Abnormalities of OvOx, MIP, and FVC occurred at a median of 1.6, 1.5, and 3.8 years from disease onset, respectively (p < 0.00001). Patients with bulbar-onset ALS exhibited earlier abnormalities in MIP and FVC than in spinal-onset ALS (p < 0.005). The median survival after an abnormal OvOx, MIP, or FVC test was 1.4, 1.4, and 0.9 years, respectively (p < 0.0001). Using the ALS Functional Rating Score respiratory subscales, at the time of reported respiratory symptoms there were abnormalities in OvOx (60%), MIP (69%), and FVC (19%). Conversely, when respiratory parameter abnormalities preceded reported respiratory symptoms, this occurred with frequencies in OvOx (79%), MIP (42%), or FVC (24%). Four hundred forty-three patients (93.1%) developed at least 1 abnormal respiratory measure meeting Medicare criteria for NIV consideration, but fewer than 50% in our cohort demonstrated NIV use. Improved survival in subjects using NIV was statistically significant in patients with bulbar-onset ALS. DISCUSSION: Abnormalities in OvOx and MIP perform better than FVC at early detection of neuromuscular respiratory weakness in ALS. Initiation of NIV in patients with respiratory insufficiency may improve the overall survival in ALS. In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, FVC and MIP have not been routinely performed because of infectious aerosol generation. OvOx, which we now routinely mail to patients' homes, has been used exclusively during the COVID-19 pandemic and allows for continued remote monitoring of the respiratory status of patients with ALS. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This cohort study provides Class III evidence that in people with ALS, OvOx and MIP are valuable respiratory parameters for the detection of early respiratory insufficiency.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: When CPAP Is Not Enough.

Three decades ago, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was introduced to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Shortly after, bilevel positive airway pressure devices (BPAP) that independently adjusted inspiratory and expiratory positive airway pressure were developed to treat complex sleep-related breathing disorders unresponsive to CPAP. Based on the bilevel positive airway pressure platform (hardware) governed by propriety algorithms (software), advanced modes of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) were developed to address complex cardiorespiratory pathophysiology beyond OSA. This review summarizes key aspects of different bilevel PAP therapies (BPAP with/without backup rate, adaptive servoventilation, and volume-assured pressure support) to treat common sleep-related hypoventilation disorders, treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, and central sleep apnea syndromes.

Optimal NIV Medicare Access Promotion: Patients With Hypoventilation Syndromes: A Technical Expert Panel Report From the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Thoracic Society.

The existing coverage criteria for home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) do not recognize the diversity of hypoventilation syndromes and advances in technologies. This document summarizes the work of the hypoventilation syndromes Technical Expert Panel working group. The most pressing current coverage barriers identified were: (1) overreliance on arterial blood gases (particularly during sleep); (2) need to perform testing on prescribed oxygen; (3) requiring a sleep study to rule out OSA as the cause of sustained hypoxemia; (4) need for spirometry; (5) need to show bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) without a backup rate failure to qualify for BPAP spontaneous/timed; and (6) qualifying hospitalized patients for home NIV therapy at the time of discharge. Critical evidence support for changes to current policies includes randomized controlled trial evidence and clinical practice guidelines. To decrease morbidity and mortality by achieving timely access to NIV for patients with hypoventilation, particularly those with obesity hypoventilation syndrome, we make the following key suggestions: (1) given the significant technological advances, we advise acceptance of surrogate noninvasive end-tidal and transcutaneous Pco2 and venous blood gases in lieu of arterial blood gases; (2) not requiring Pco2 measures while on prescribed oxygen; (3) not requiring a sleep study to avoid delays in care in patients being discharged from the hospital; (4) remove spirometry as a requirement; and (5) not requiring BPAP without a backup rate failure to approve BPAP spontaneous/timed. The overarching goal of the Technical Expert Panel is to establish pathways that improve clinicians' management capability to provide Medicare beneficiaries access to appropriate home NIV therapy. Adoption of these proposed suggestions would result in the right device, for the right type of patient with hypoventilation syndromes, at the right time.

Perioperative Care and Medication-related Hypoventilation.

Cumulative evidence supports the association of adverse postoperative outcomes with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). Although current guidelines recommend preoperative screening for OSA and OHS, the best perioperative management pathways remain unknown. Interventions attempting to prevent complications in the postoperative period largely are consensus based and focused on enhanced monitoring, conservative measures, and specific OSA therapies, such as positive airway pressure. Until further research is available to improve the quality and strength of these recommendations, patients with known or suspected OSA and OHS should be considered at higher risk for perioperative cardiopulmonary complications.

Differences in risk-adjusted mortality between medicaid-eligible patients enrolled in medicare advantage plans and those enrolled in the veterans health administration.

BACKGROUND: We compared risk-adjusted mortality rates between Medicaid-eligible patients in the Medicare Advantage plans ("MA dual enrollees") and Medicaid-eligible patients in the Veterans Health Administration ("VHA dual enrollees"). METHODS: We used the Death Master File to ascertain the vital status of 1912 MA and 2361 VHA dual enrollees. We used Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The 3-year mortality rates of VHA and MA dual enrollees were 15.8% and 19.0%, respectively. The adjusted HR of mortality in the MA dual enrollees was significantly higher than in the VHA dual enrollees (HR, 1.260 [95% CI, 1.044-1.520]). This was also the case for elderly patients and those from racial/ethnic minority groups. CONCLUSIONS: The VHA had better health outcomes than did MA plans. The VHA's performance is reassuring, given its emphasis on equal access to healthcare in an environment that is less dependent on patient financial considerations.

Initiation of Noninvasive Ventilation for Sleep Related Hypoventilation Disorders: Advanced Modes and Devices.

Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been used since the 1950s in the polio epidemic, the development of modern bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices did not become a reality until the 1990s. Over the past 25 years, BPAP technology options have increased exponentially. The number of patients receiving this treatment both in the acute setting and at home is growing steadily. However, a knowledge gap exists in the way the settings on these devices are adjusted to achieve synchrony and match the patient's unique physiology of respiratory failure. This issue is further complicated by differences in pressure and flow dynamic settings among different types of NIV devices available for inpatient and home care.

Varying Hypopnea Definitions Affect Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity Classification and Association With Cardiovascular Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical features and cardiovascular risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal, and ≥ 4% desaturation hypopnea criteria. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of 1,400 veterans who underwent polysomnography for suspected sleep-disordered breathing. Hypopneas were scored using ≥ 4% desaturation criteria per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) 2007 guidelines, then re-scored using ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal criteria per AASM 2012 guidelines. The effect on OSA disease categorization by these two different definitions were compared and correlated with symptoms and cardiovascular associations using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: The application of the ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal definition of hypopnea captured an additional 175 OSA diagnoses (12.5%). This newly diagnosed OSA group (OSAnew) was symptomatic with daytime sleepiness similarly to those in whom OSA had been diagnosed based on ≥ 4% desaturation criteria (OSA4%). The OSAnew group was more obese and more likely to be male than those without OSA based on either criterion (No-OSA). However, the OSAnew group was younger, less obese, more likely female, and had a lesser smoking history compared to the OSA4% group. Those with any severity of OSA4% had an increased adjusted odds ratio for arrhythmias (odds ratio = 1.95 [95% confidence interval 1.37-2.78], P = .0155). The more inclusive hypopnea definition (ie, ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal) resulted in recategorization of OSA diagnosis and severity, and attenuated the increased odds ratio for arrhythmias observed in mild and moderate OSA4%. However, severe OSA based on ≥ 3% desaturation or arousals (OSA3%/Ar) remained a significant risk factor for arrhythmias. OSA based on any definition was not associated with ischemic heart disease or heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The most current AASM criteria for hypopnea identify a unique group of patients who are sleepy, but who are not at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Though the different hypopnea definitions result in recategorization of OSA severity, severe disease whether defined by ≥ 3% desaturation/arousals or ≥ 4% desaturation remains predictive of cardiac arrhythmias. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1971.

Practical Implementation of a Single-Night Split-Titration Protocol With BPAP-ST and AVAPS in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: At the sleep laboratory, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation titration protocols in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) are based on standard pressure cycle devices in a spontaneous/timed mode (BPAP-ST). Experience integrating protocols on average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode is limited, prompting us to develop a practical single-night titration protocol that provides information to assist clinicians and patients as they decide between BPAP-ST and AVAPS modes. METHODS: We implemented a sequential titration protocol of BPAP-ST followed by AVAPS during a single-night polysomnography study in patients with NMD and reported polysomnographic and clinical metrics. RESULTS: There were 27 patients who completed the protocol: 14 (52%) were male with median and interquartile range (IQR) 64 (59 to 70) years of age and body mass index of 29.6 (25.6-32) kg/m2. They had median (IQR) maximal percent predicted inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and percent vital capacity of 33 (24 to 54), 34 (22 to 47) and 60 (47 to 74), respectively. At final titration of each device, average tidal volume and nadir non-rapid eye movement sleep oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) were higher and respiratory rate/tidal volume, transcutaneous CO2, and arousal index were lower on AVAPS (P < .05) in comparison with BPAP-ST. Full face mask was used in 23 patients (85%). None of the other ventilatory or sleep parameters differed significantly between BPAP-ST and AVAPS (P > .05) sessions. CONCLUSIONS: A practical single-night split-titration protocol with BPAP-ST and AVAPS can successfully be implemented in patients with NMD, assisting clinicians and patients with the decision on initial treatment modalities and settings.

Management of Sleep Apnea Syndromes in Heart Failure.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent in heart failure (HF) and associated with a worse prognosis. Nocturnal oxygen therapy may decrease CSA events, sympathetic tone, and improve left ventricular ejection fraction, although mortality benefit is unknown. Although treatment of OSA in patients with HF is recommended, therapy for CSA remains controversial. Continuous positive airway pressure use in HF-CSA may improve respiratory events, hemodynamics, and exercise capacity, but not mortality. Adaptive servo ventilation is contraindicated in patients with symptomatic HF with predominant central sleep-disordered events. The role of phrenic nerve stimulation in CSA therapy is promising.

Advanced positive airway pressure modes: adaptive servo ventilation and volume assured pressure support.

INTRODUCTION: Volume assured pressure support (VAPS) and adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) are non-invasive positive airway pressure (PAP) modes with sophisticated negative feedback control systems (servomechanism), having the capability to self-adjust in real time its respiratory controlled variables to patient's respiratory fluctuations. However, the widespread use of VAPS and ASV is limited by scant clinical experience, high costs, and the incomplete understanding of propriety algorithmic differences in devices' response to patient's respiratory changes. Hence, we will review and highlight similarities and differences in technical aspects, control algorithms, and settings of each mode, focusing on the literature search published in this area. AREAS COVERED: One hundred twenty relevant articles were identified by Scopus, PubMed, and Embase databases from January 2010 to 2016, using a combination of MeSH terms and keywords. Articles were further supplemented by pearling. Recommendations were based on the literature review and the authors' expertise in this area. Expert commentary: ASV and VAPS differ in their respiratory targets and response to a respiratory fluctuation. The VAPS mode targets a more consistent minute ventilation, being recommended in the treatment of sleep related hypoventilation disorders, while ASV mode attempts to provide a more steady breathing airflow pattern, treating successfully most central sleep apnea syndromes.

Obesity in the intensive care unit: risks and complications.

The steady growing prevalence of critically ill obese patients is posing diagnostic and management challenges across medical and surgical intensive care units. The impact of obesity in the critically ill patients may vary by type of critical illness, obesity severity (obesity distribution) and obesity-associated co-morbidities. Based on pathophysiological changes associated with obesity, predominately in pulmonary reserve and cardiac function, critically ill obese patients may be at higher risk for acute cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal complications in comparison to non-obese patients. Obesity also represents a dilemma in the management of other critical care areas such as invasive mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation liberation, hemodynamic monitoring and pharmacokinetics dose adjustments. However, despite higher morbidity associated with obesity in the intensive care unit (ICU), a paradoxical lower ICU mortality ("obesity paradox") is demonstrated in comparison to non-obese ICU patients. This review article will focus on the unique pathophysiology, challenges in management, and outcomes associated with obesity in the ICU.

Effectiveness of hands-on tutoring and guided self-directed learning versus self-directed learning alone to educate critical care fellows on mechanical ventilation - a pilot project.

BACKGROUND: Physicians require extensive training to achieve proficiency in mechanical ventilator (MV) management of the critically ill patients. Guided self-directed learning (GSDL) is usually the method used to learn. However, it is unclear if this is the most proficient approach to teaching mechanical ventilation to critical care fellows. We, therefore, investigated whether critical care fellows achieve higher scores on standardized testing and report higher satisfaction after participating in a hands-on tutorial combined with GSDL compared to self-directed learning alone. METHODS: First-year Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) fellows (n=6) and Critical Care Internal Medicine (CCIM) (n=8) fellows participated. Satisfaction was assessed using the Likert scale. MV knowledge assessment was performed by administering a standardized 25-question multiple choice pre- and posttest. For 2 weeks the CCIM fellows were exposed to GSDL, while the PCCM fellows received hands-on tutoring combined with GSDL. RESULTS: Ninety-three percentage (6 PCCM and 7 CCIM fellows, total of 13 fellows) completed all evaluations and were included in the final analysis. CCIM and PCCM fellows scored similarly in the pretest (64% vs. 52%, p=0.13). Following interventions, the posttest scores increased in both groups. However, no significant difference was observed based on the interventions (74% vs. 77%, p=0.39). The absolute improvement with the hands-on-tutoring and GSDL group was higher than GSDL alone (25% vs. 10%, p=0.07). Improved satisfaction scores were noted with hands-on tutoring. CONCLUSIONS: Hands-on tutoring combined with GSDL and GSDL alone were both associated with an improvement in posttest scores. Absolute improvement in test and satisfaction scores both trended higher in the hands-on tutorial group combined with GSDL group.

The Association between Nocturnal Cardiac Arrhythmias and Sleep-Disordered Breathing: The DREAM Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with cardiac arrhythmia in a clinic-based population with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities and severe SDB. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 697 veterans who underwent polysomnography for suspected SDB. SDB was categorized according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): none (AHI < 5), mild (5 ≥ AHI < 15), and moderate-severe (AHI ≥ 15). Nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias consisted of: (1) complex ventricular ectopy, (CVE: non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, bigeminy, trigeminy, or quadrigeminy), (2) combined supraventricular tachycardia, (CST: atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia), (3) intraventricular conduction delay (ICD), (4) tachyarrhythmias (ventricular and supraventricular), and (5) any cardiac arrhythmia. Unadjusted, adjusted logistic regression, and Cochran-Armitage testing examined the association between SDB and cardiac arrhythmias. Linear regression models explored the association between hypoxia, arousals, and cardiac arrhythmias. RESULTS: Compared to those without SDB, patients with moderate-severe SDB had almost three-fold unadjusted odds of any cardiac arrhythmia (2.94; CI 95%, 2.01-4.30; p < 0.0001), two-fold odds of tachyarrhythmias (2.16; CI 95%,1.47-3.18; p = 0.0011), two-fold odds of CVE (2.01; 1.36-2.96; p = 0.003), and two-fold odds of ICD (2.50; 1.58-3.95; p = 0.001). A linear trend was identified between SDB severity and all cardiac arrhythmia subtypes (p value linear trend < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, BMI, gender, and cardiovascular diseases, moderate-severe SDB patients had twice the odds of having nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias (2.24; 1.48-3.39; p = 0.004). Frequency of obstructive respiratory events and hypoxia were strong predictors of arrhythmia risk. CONCLUSIONS: SDB is independently associated with nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias. Increasing severity of SDB was associated with an increasing risk for any cardiac arrhythmia.