RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with typical atrial flutter: Clinical, prognostic and therapeutic implications JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3807 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Núria Grau A1 Victor Bazan A1 Ermengol Valles A1 Miquel Félez A1 Carles Sanjuás A1 Miguel Cainzos A1 Begoña Benito A1 Joaquim Gea A1 Jordi Bruguera A1 Julio Martí YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3807.abstract AB Background. The clinical yield of successful cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrial flutter (AF) is limited by a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the long term. The association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could favor an incomplete arrhythmia control in this setting. We assessed the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in reducing the occurrence of AFib after CTI ablation.Methods. A cohort of consecutive patients undergoing successful CTI ablation for typical AF was screened for OSA and followed-up during 12 months. Upon diagnosis of severe OSA, CPAP therapy was initiated. Relationship of the following variables with the occurrence of AFib during follow-up was investigated: CPAP therapy initiation, hypertension, body mass index, underlying structural heart disease, left atrial diameter and previous AFib documentation prior to CTI ablation.Results. We included 56 patients (age 66 ± 11 years, 12 female), 27 of whom (48%) were diagnosed from severe OSA. Twenty-one patients (38%) had AFib during follow-up. Freedom from AFib prior to ablation was associated with a lower incidence of AFib after this procedure (from 67% to 34% of cases; p = 0.019). Additionally, CPAP therapy initiation in those patients never being diagnosed from AFib resulted in a reduction of AFib episodes during follow-up (from 46% to 6% of cases; p = 0.025).Conclusions. Severe OSA is a prevalent condition in patients with typical AF, and its treatment by means of CPAP therapy results in a lower incidence of new-onset AFib after CTI ablation.