Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients in a Tertiary Care Center

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmias.Recently there has been evidence of higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in obstructive sleep apnea patients compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients of obstructive sleep apnea in a tertiary care center. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Om Hospital and Research Centre from January 2016 to 2018 March after ethical clearance.All the patients who were diagnosed to have OSA underwent detailed history taking, cardiovascular examination and underwent electrocardiogram evaluation.All the patients who were referred for sleep study underwent technician attendant in hospital Level A polysomnography were included. Convenience sampling was done. Data was collected and entry was done in microsoft excel, point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is 7 (10.44%) at 95% Confidence Interval (6.70-14.17%). Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index of more than 30was present in 3 (42.8%) patients of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation was seen highest, 3 (42.8%) in patients with BMI more than 30 and lowest, 1 (14.28%) patients with BMI less than 23.5. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation was seen 5 (71.4%) in male patients and 2 (28.57%) in female patients. Sixty seven (75.28%) patients had obstructive sleep apnea in which male patients was predominant 48 (71.64%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients of obstructive sleep apnea was found to higher than the similar studies done. It is important to obtain detail cardiac history in any patients with obstructive sleep apnea and look for arrhythmias speciallyatrial fibrillation.