Evaluation of Ventricular Arrhythmia Markers in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients

Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a prevalent sleep condition marked by recurrent upper airway blockages causing intermittent hypoxia, fragmented sleep, and autonomic nervous system issues. Significant emphasis has been paid to the connection between OSAS and the development of ventricular arrhythmias in recent years. The index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (ICEB) represents a new measure designed to predict the likelihood of ventricular arrhythmias. Material and Methods: Forty OSAS patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the research. Clinical and demographic variables of both groups were evaluated. Electrocardiogram was taken and routine blood values of the patients were studied. The ICEB is computed by dividing the QT interval by the QRS duration (QT/QRS). Apnea-hypopnea index was used to evaluate the severity of OSAS. Results: The body-mass index value of OSAS patients was significantly higher than HCs (p=0.002). No significant smoking status difference between OSAS patients and HCs (p=0.822). As a result, QT, QTc, and ICEB were substantially greater in OSAS patients than in HCs (p<0.001, for all). According to Pearson correlation analysis, apnea-hypopnea index and body-mass index, QT, QTc, and ICEB were significantly correlated (p=0.020, p=0.009, p=0.010, and p=0.003, respectively). In linear regression analysis where the apnea-hypopnea index was taken as a dependent variable, ICEB predicted the apnea-hypopnea index significantly and positively (F(5.76)=18.451, R2=0.657, adjusted R2=0.715 and p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, a positive and significant relationship was found between the AHI value, which is used to evaluate the severity of OSAS, and ICEB. The fact that ICEB, which is used to evaluate the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, is higher in OSAS patients indicates that these patients should be followed more closely in the cardiologic outpatient clinic.

Keywords:

Index of cardiac electrophysiological balance Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Ventricular arrhythmia,

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