Impact of PAP on the gut microbiome in OSA: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Microbes within the gastrointestinal tract have emerged as modulators of the host's health. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by intermittent partial, or complete, airway closure during sleep and is associated with increased risk of non-communicable diseases as well as dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Thus, we investigated if improving nocturnal airway patency via positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy improves gut microbial diversity in recently diagnosed patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥15.0 events/hr).

PATIENTS/METHODS

Eight subjects (3 F, 56±9yrs, 33.5 ± 7.7 kg/m2, 45.0 ± 38.4 events/hr) provided stool samples before, and two months after, PAP therapy (mean adherence of 95 ± 6%, residual apnea-hypopnea index of 4.7 ± 4.6 events/hr).

RESULTS

While the Shannon diversity index tended to increase following PAP (3.96 ± 0.52 to 4.18 ± 0.56, p = 0.08), there were no changes in the Observed (1,088 ± 237 to 1,136 ± 289, p = 0.28) nor Inverse-Simpson (22.4 ± 12.99 to 26.6 ± 18.23, p = 0.28) alpha diversity indices. There were also no changes in beta diversity assessed using the Bray-Curtis (p = 0.98), Jaccard (p = 0.99), WUniFrac (p = 0.98), GUniFrac (p = 0.98), or UniFrac (p = 0.98) methods. No changes in differential abundance taxa were found using a false discovery rate threshold of <0.20.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data are the first to report that PAP therapy may not offset, or reverse, gut dysbiosis in patients with OSA. Accordingly, interventions which improve gut microbial health should be explored as potential adjunctive treatment options in patients with OSA to reduce their risk of developing non-communicable diseases.

Trends and Disparities in Treatment and Control of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in US Adults, 1999 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Although cardiovascular mortality continued declining from 2000 to 2019, the rate of this decrease decelerated. We aimed to assess the trends and disparities in risk factor control and treatment among US adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to find potential causes of the deceleration.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 55 ,021 participants, aged ≥20 years, from the 1999 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included, of which 5717 were with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Risk factor control was defined as hemoglobin A1c <7%, blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL. The prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease oscillated between 7.3% and 8.9% from 1999 to 2018. A significant increasing trend was observed in the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and self-reported hypertension within the population with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Ptrend≤0.001). Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL increased from 7.1% in 1999 to 2002 to 15.7% in 2003 to 2006, before plateauing. Blood pressure control (<140/90 mm Hg) increased until 2011 to 2014, but declined to 70.1% in 2015 to 2018 (Ptrend<0.001, Pjoinpoint=0.14). Similarly, the proportion of participants achieving hemoglobin A1c control began to decrease after 2006 (Pjoinpoint=0.05, Ptrend=0.001). The percentage of participants achieving all 3 targets increased significantly from 4.5% to 18.6% across 1999 to 2018 (Ptrend=0.02), but the increasing trend decelerated after 2005 to 2006 (Pjoinpoint<0.001). Striking disparities in risk factor control and medication use persisted between sexes, and between different racial and ethnic populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Worsened control of glycemia, blood pressure, obesity, and alcohol consumption, leveled lipid control, and persistent socioeconomic disparities may be contributing factors to the observed deceleration in decreasing cardiovascular mortality trends.

Effect of Active Workstations on Neurocognitive Performance and Typing Skills: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Extended sedentary behavior is a risk factor for chronic disease and mortality, even among those who exercise regularly. Given the time constraints of incorporating physical activity into daily schedules, and the high likelihood of sitting during office work, this environment may serve as a potentially feasible setting for interventions to reduce sedentary behavior.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A randomized cross-over clinical trial was conducted at an employee wellness center. Four office settings were evaluated on 4 consecutive days: stationary or sitting station on day 1 (referent), and 3 subsequent active workstations (standing, walking, or stepper) in randomized order. Neurocognitive function (Selective Attention, Grammatical Reasoning, Odd One Out, Object Reasoning, Visuospatial Intelligence, Limited-Hold Memory, Paired Associates Learning, and Digit Span) and fine motor skills (typing speed and accuracy) were tested using validated tools. Average scores were compared among stations using linear regression with generalized estimating equations to adjust standard errors. Bonferroni method adjusted for multiple comparisons. Healthy subjects were enrolled (n=44), 28 (64%) women, mean±SD age 35±11 years, weight 75.5±17.1 kg, height 168.5±10.0 cm, and body mass index 26.5±5.2 kg/m2. When comparing active stations to sitting, neurocognitive test either improved or remained unchanged, while typing speed decreased without affecting typing errors. Overall results improved after day 1, suggesting habituation. We observed no major differences across active stations, except decrease in average typing speed 42.5 versus 39.7 words per minute with standing versus stepping (P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Active workstations improved cognitive performance, suggesting that these workstations can help decrease sedentary time without work performance impairment.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT06240286.

CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF HOSPITALISED PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE AND SARCOIDOSIS: A PROPENISTY-MATCHED ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONWIDE READMISSIONS DATABASE 2010-2019

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is associated with a poor prognosis. There is a lack of data examining the outcomes and readmission rates of sarcoidosis patients with heart failure (SwHF) and without heart failure (SwoHF). We aimed to compare the impact of non-ischemic heart failure on outcomes and readmissions in these two groups.

METHODS

The US Nationwide Readmission Database was queried from 2010-2019 for SwHF and SwoHF patients identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Editions. Those with ischemic heart disease were excluded, and both cohorts were propensity matched for age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Clinical characteristics, length of stay, adjusted healthcare-associated costs, 90-day readmission and mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 97,961 hospitalized patients (median age 63 years, 37.9% male) with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis (35.9% SwHF vs. 64.1% SwoHF). On index admission, heart failure patients had higher prevalences of atrioventricular block (3.3% vs. 1.4%, p<0.0001), ventricular tachycardia (6.5% vs. 1.3%, p<0.0001), ventricular fibrillation (0.4% vs. 0.1%, p<0.0001) and atrial fibrillation (22.1% vs. 7.5%, p<0.0001). SwHF patients were more likely to be readmitted (hazard ratio 1.28, p<0.0001), had higher length of hospital stay (5 vs. 4 days, p<0.0001), adjusted healthcare-associated costs ($9,667.0 vs. $9,087.1, p<0.0001) and mortality rates on readmission (5.1% vs. 3.8%, p<0.0001). Predictors of mortality included heart failure, increasing age, male sex, higher CCI and liver disease.

CONCLUSION

SwHF is associated with higher rates of arrhythmia at index admission, as well as greater hospital cost, readmission and mortality rates compared to those without heart failure.

Cardiovascular Disease Burden, Mortality, and Sudden Death Risk in Epilepsy: A UK Biobank Study

BACKGROUND

Sudden death is the leading cause of mortality in medically refractory epilepsy. Middle-aged persons with epilepsy (PWE) are under investigated regarding their mortality risk and burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

Using UK Biobank, we identified 7786 (1.6%) participants with diagnoses of epilepsy and 6,171,803 person-years of follow-up (mean 12.30 years, standard deviation 1.74); 566 patients with previous histories of stroke were excluded. The 7220 PWE comprised the study cohort with the remaining 494,676 without epilepsy as the comparator group. Prevalence of CVD was determined using validated diagnostic codes. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess all-cause mortality and sudden death risk.

RESULTS

Hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart disease were more prevalent in PWE. Arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation/flutter (12.2% vs 6.9%; P < 0.01), bradyarrhythmias (7.7% vs 3.5%; P < 0.01), conduction defects (6.1% vs 2.6%; P < 0.01), and ventricular arrhythmias (2.3% vs 1.0%; P < 0.01), as well as cardiac implantable electric devices (4.6% vs 2.0%; P < 0.01) were more prevalent in PWE. PWE had higher adjusted all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.01-3.39), and sudden death-specific mortality (HR, 6.65; 95% CI, 4.53-9.77); and were almost 2 years younger at death (68.1 vs 69.8; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Middle-aged PWE have increased all-cause and sudden death-specific mortality and higher burden of CVD including arrhythmias and heart failure. Further work is required to elucidate mechanisms underlying all-cause mortality and sudden death risk in PWE of middle age, to identify prognostic biomarkers and develop preventative therapies in PWE.

Re-evaluating the Incidence and Prevalence of Clinical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An Epidemiological Study of Olmsted County, Minnesota

OBJECTIVE

To contemporaneously reappraise the incidence-rate, prevalence, and natural history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1984 to 2015.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A validated medical-record linkage system collecting information for residents of Olmsted County was used to identify all cases of HCM between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 2015. After adjudication of records from Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center, data relating to diagnoses and outcomes were abstracted. The calculated incidence rate and prevalence were standardized to the US 1980 White population (age- and sex-adjusted) and compared with a prior study examining the years 1975-1984.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy subjects with HCM were identified. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate was 6.6 per 100,000 person-years, and the point prevalence of HCM on January 1, 2016, was 89 per 100,000 population. The incidence rate and point prevalence of HCM on January 1, 2016, standardized to the US 1980 White population (age- and sex-adjusted), were 6.7 (95% CI, 7.1 to 8.8) per 100,000 person-years and 81.5 per 100,000 population, respectively. The incidence rate of HCM increased each decade since the index study. Individuals with HCM had a higher overall standardized mortality rate than the general population with an observed to expected HR of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.21 to 1.71; P<.001) which improved by each decade.

CONCLUSION

The incidence and prevalence of HCM are higher than rates reported from a prior study in the same community examining the years 1975-1984, but lower than other study cohorts. The risk of mortality in HCM remains higher than expected, albeit with improvement in rates of mortality observed each decade during the study period.

Novel metrics of sleep-disordered breathing are associated with outcome after ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Standard measures of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that rely on count data may not sufficiently capture SDB severity or reflect downstream consequences of SDB. We hypothesized that novel metrics derived from pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and nasal pressure would be associated with stroke outcomes.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Shortly after ischemic stroke, participants in a population-based study were offered ApneaLink Plus testing. Signal analysis was used to generate 166 metrics from the nasal pressure cannula and finger probe, categorized as: autonomic (based on pulse rate variability), oximetry-derived, nasal pressure-derived, and mixed oxygen and nasal pressure-derived measures. Three-month outcome assessments included functional and cognitive outcomes and stroke recurrence. Tobit regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between each sleep apnea metric and the three outcomes, unadjusted and adjusted for multiple potential confounders. Models were adjusted for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Of the 530 participants, the median age was 65 (IQR: 57, 73), 49 % were female, and 64 % were Mexican American. Without covariate adjustment, 23 of 166 variables were associated with functional outcome, 43 were associated with cognitive outcome, and 1 was associated with stroke recurrence. After adjustment, 7 mixed, oximetry, or nasal pressure-based metrics and 1 autonomic metric were associated with functional outcome, but none was associated with cognitive outcome or stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Many novel metrics of SDB were associated with important stroke outcomes, and 8 novel metrics were associated with functional outcome in adjusted models. This raises hypotheses about pathways by which SDB may negatively impact stroke outcomes.

Association of sleep duration with atrial fibrillation/flutter mortality in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between sleep duration and atrial fibrillation risk is poorly understood, with inconsistent findings reported by several studies. We sought to assess the association between long sleep duration and mortality due to atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL).

METHODS

The 2016-2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research dataset was used to identify death records secondary to AF/AFL in the United States population. We used the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset of sleep duration at the county level. All counties were grouped into quartiles based on the percentage of their population with long sleep duration (i.e., ≥ 7 h), Q1 being the lowest and Q4 the highest quartile. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated for each quartile. County Health Rankings for Texas were used to adjust the AAMR for comorbidities using linear regression.

RESULTS

Overall, the AAMR for AF/AFL were highest in Q4 (65.9 [95% CI, 65.5-66.2] per 100,000 person-years) and lowest in Q1 (52.3 [95% CI, 52.1-52.5] per 100,000 person-years). The AAMR for AF/AFL increased stepwise from the lowest to highest quartiles of the percentage population with long sleep duration. After adjustment for the county health ranks of Texas, long sleep duration remained associated with a significantly higher AAMR (coefficient 220.6 (95% CI, 21.53-419.72, p-value = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Long sleep duration was associated with higher AF/AFL mortality. Increased focus on risk reduction for AF, public awareness about the importance of optimal sleep duration, and further research to elucidate a potential causal relationship between sleep duration and AF are warranted.

Cardiovascular Burden of Narcolepsy Disease (CV-BOND): a real-world evidence study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Narcolepsy is associated with cardiovascular risk factors; however, the risk of new-onset cardiovascular events in this population is unknown. This real-world study evaluated the excess risk of new-onset cardiovascular events in U.S. adults with narcolepsy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study using IBM MarketScan administrative claims data (2014-2019) was conducted. A narcolepsy cohort, comprising adults (≥18 years) with at least two outpatient claims containing a narcolepsy diagnosis, of which at least one was non-diagnostic, was matched to a non-narcolepsy control cohort (1:3) based on cohort entry date, age, sex, geographic region, and insurance type. The relative risk of new-onset cardiovascular events was estimated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to compute adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The narcolepsy and matched non-narcolepsy control cohorts included 12 816 and 38 441 individuals, respectively. At baseline, cohort demographics were generally similar; however, patients with narcolepsy had more comorbidities. In adjusted analyses, the risk of new-onset cardiovascular events was higher in the narcolepsy cohort compared with the control cohort: any stroke (HR [95% CI], 1.71 [1.24, 2.34]); heart failure (1.35 [1.03, 1.76]); ischemic stroke (1.67 [1.19, 2.34]); major adverse cardiac event (1.45 [1.20, 1.74]); grouped instances of stroke, atrial fibrillation, or edema (1.48 [1.25, 1.74]); and cardiovascular disease (1.30 [1.08, 1.56]).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with narcolepsy are at increased risk of new-onset cardiovascular events compared with individuals without narcolepsy. Physicians should consider cardiovascular risk in patients with narcolepsy when weighing treatment options.

Performance of the ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Cardiovascular Risk Equations in Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

The performance of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association pooled cohort equation (PCE) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in real-world clinical practice has not been evaluated extensively.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to test the performance of PCE to predict ASCVD risk in the community, and determine if including individuals with values outside the PCE range (ie, age, blood pressure, cholesterol) or statin therapy initiation over follow-up would significantly affect PCE predictive capabilities.

METHODS

The PCE was validated in a community-based cohort of consecutive patients who sought primary care in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1997 and 2000, followed-up through 2016. Inclusion criteria were similar to those of PCE derivation. Patient information was ascertained by using the record linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. ASCVD events (nonfatal and fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke) were validated in duplicate. Calculated and observed ASCVD risk and c-statistics were compared across predefined groups.

RESULTS

This study included 30,042 adults, with a mean age of 48.5 ± 12.2 years; 46% were male. Median follow-up was 16.5 years, truncated at 10 years for this analysis. Mean ASCVD risk was 5.6% ± 8.73%. There were 1,555 ASCVD events (5.2%). The PCE revealed good performance overall (c-statistic 0.78) and in sex and race subgroups; it was highest among non-White female subjects (c-statistic 0.81) and lowest in White male subjects (c-statistic 0.77). Out-of-range values and initiation of statin medication did not affect model performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCE performed well in a community cohort representing real-world clinical practice. Values outside PCE ranges and initiation of statin medication did not affect performance. These results have implications for the applicability of current strategies for the prevention of ASCVD.

Predictors of morbidity and in-hospital mortality following procedure-related cardiac tamponade

Background

Cardiac tamponade (CT) can be a complication following invasive cardiac procedures. We assessed CT following common cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedures to facilitate risk prediction of associated morbidity and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

Patients who underwent various EP procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab (ablations and device implantations) were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM, respectively) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Patient demographics, presence of comorbidities, CT-related events, and in-hospital death were also abstracted from the NIS database.

Results

The frequency of CT-related events in patients with EP intervention from 2010 to 2017 ranged from 3.4% to 7.0%. In-hospital mortality related to CT-related events was found to be 2.2%. Increasing age was the only predictor of higher mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) groups (OR [95% CI]: AF ablation = 11.15 [1.70-73.34], p = .01; CRT = 1.41 [1.05-1.90], p = .02).

Conclusions

In the real-world setting, CT-related events in EP procedures were found to be 3.4%-7.0% with in-hospital mortality of 2.2%. Older patients undergoing AF ablation were found to have higher mortality.

The need to promote sleep health in public health agendas across the globe

Healthy sleep is essential for physical and mental health, and social wellbeing; however, across the globe, and particularly in developing countries, national public health agendas rarely consider sleep health. Sleep should be promoted as an essential pillar of health, equivalent to nutrition and physical activity. To improve sleep health across the globe, a focus on education and awareness, research, and targeted public health policies are needed. We recommend developing sleep health educational programmes and awareness campaigns; increasing, standardising, and centralising data on sleep quantity and quality in every country across the globe; and developing and implementing sleep health policies across sectors of society. Efforts are needed to ensure equity and inclusivity for all people, particularly those who are most socially and economically vulnerable, and historically excluded.

Predicted Deleterious Variants in Cardiomyopathy Genes Prognosticate Mortality and Composite Outcomes in UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Inherited cardiomyopathies present with broad variation of phenotype. Data are limited regarding genetic screening strategies and outcomes associated with predicted deleterious variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes in the general population.

OBJECTIVES

The authors aimed to determine the risk of mortality and composite cardiomyopathy-related outcomes associated with predicted deleterious variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes in the UK Biobank.

METHODS

Using whole exome sequencing data, variants in dilated, hypertrophic, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy-associated genes with at least moderate evidence of disease causality according to ClinGen Expert Panel curations were annotated using REVEL (≥0.65) and ANNOVAR (predicted loss-of-function) considering gene-disease mechanisms. Genotype-positive and genotype-negative groups were compared using time-to-event analyses for the primary (all-cause mortality) and secondary outcomes (diagnosis of cardiomyopathy; composite outcome of diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, and death).

RESULTS

Among 200,619 participants (age at recruitment 56.46 ± 8.1 years), 5,292 (2.64%) were found to host ≥1 predicted deleterious variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes (CMP-G+). After adjusting for age and sex, CMP-G+ individuals had higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR: 1.13 [95% CI: 1.01-1.25]; P = 0.027), increased risk for being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy later in life (HR: 5.75 [95% CI: 4.58-7.23]; P < 0.0001), and elevated risk for composite outcome (HR: 1.29 [95% CI: 1.20-1.39]; P < 0.0001) than CMP-G- individuals. The higher risk for being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and composite outcomes in the genotype-positive subjects remained consistent across all cardiomyopathy subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with predicted deleterious variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes exhibited a slightly higher risk of mortality and a significantly increased risk of developing cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy-related composite outcomes, in comparison with genotype-negative controls.

Sex Differences in Neurovascular Control: Implications for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, namely hypertension. While seminal evidence indicates a causal role for sympathetic nerve activity in the hypertensive phenotype commonly observed in patients with OSA, no studies have investigated potential sex differences in the sympathetic regulation of blood pressure in this population. Supporting this exploration are large-scale observational data, as well as controlled interventional studies in healthy adults, indicating that sleep disruption increases blood pressure to a greater extent in females relative to males. Furthermore, females with severe OSA demonstrate a more pronounced hypoxic burden (i.e., disease severity) during rapid eye movement sleep when sympathetic nerve activity is greatest. These findings would suggest that females are at greater risk for the hemodynamic consequences of OSA and related sleep disruption. Accordingly, the purpose of this review is three-fold: (1) to review the literature linking sympathetic nerve activity to hypertension in OSA, (2) to highlight recent experimental data supporting the hypothesis of sex differences in the regulation of sympathetic nerve activity in OSA, and (3) to discuss the potential sex differences in peripheral adrenergic signaling that may contribute to, or offset, cardiovascular risk in patients with OSA.

Association of Polysomnographic Sleep Parameters With Neuroimaging Biomarkers of Cerebrovascular Disease in Older Adults With Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to determine whether polysomnographic (PSG) sleep parameters are associated with neuroimaging biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) related to white matter (WM) integrity in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

From the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, we identified participants without dementia who underwent at least 1 brain MRI and PSG. We quantified 2 CVD biomarkers: WM hyperintensities (WMHs) from fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-MRI, and fractional anisotropy of the genu of the corpus callosum (genu FA) from diffusion MRI. For this cross-sectional analysis, we fit linear models to assess associations between PSG parameters (NREM stage 1 percentage, NREM stage 3 percentage [slow-wave sleep], mean oxyhemoglobin saturation, and log of apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]) and CVD biomarkers (log of WMH and log of genu FA), respectively, while adjusting for age (at MRI), sex, APOE ε4 status, composite cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (CMC) score, REM stage percentage, sleep duration, and interval between MRI and PSG.

RESULTS

We included 140 participants with FLAIR-MRI (of which 103 had additional diffusion MRI). The mean ± SD age was 72.7 ± 9.6 years at MRI with nearly 60% being men. The absolute median (interquartile range [IQR]) interval between MRI and PSG was 1.74 (0.9-3.2) years. 90.7% were cognitively unimpaired (CU) during both assessments. For every 10-point decrease in N3%, there was a 0.058 (95% CI 0.006-0.111, p = 0.030) increase in the log of WMH and 0.006 decrease (95% CI -0.012 to -0.0002, p = 0.042) in the log of genu FA. After matching for age, sex, and N3%, participants with severe OSA had higher WMH (median [IQR] 0.007 [0.005-0.015] vs 0.006 [0.003-0.009], p = 0.042) and lower genu FA (median [IQR] 0.57 [0.55-0.63] vs 0.63 [0.58-0.65], p = 0.007), when compared with those with mild/moderate OSA.

DISCUSSION

We found that reduced slow-wave sleep and severe OSA were associated with higher burden of WM abnormalities in predominantly CU older adults, which may contribute to greater risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, and stroke. Our study supports the association between sleep depth/fragmentation and intermittent hypoxia and CVD biomarkers. Longitudinal studies are required to assess causation.

Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Adherence and Health Care Resource Use in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, current evidence is equivocal regarding the potential benefits of treating OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in HFpEF. This study assessed the association between adherence to PAP therapy and health care resource use in patients with OSA and HFpEF. Methods and Results Administrative insurance claims data linked with objective PAP therapy usage data from patients with OSA and HFpEF were used to determine associations between PAP adherence and a composite outcome including hospitalizations and emergency room visits. One-year PAP adherence was based on an adapted US Medicare definition. Propensity score methods were used to create groups with similar characteristics across PAP adherence levels. The study cohort included 4237 patients (54.0% female, mean age 64.1 years); 40% were considered adherent to PAP therapy (30% intermediate adherent, 30% nonadherent). In the matched cohort, PAP-adherent patients had fewer health care resource use visits than nonadherent patients, a 57% decrease in hospitalizations, and a 36% decrease in emergency room visits versus the year before PAP initiation. Total health care costs were lower in adherent patients than nonadherent patients ($12 732 versus $15 610, P<0.001). Outcomes for intermediately adherent patients were most similar to those for nonadherent patients. Conclusions Treating OSA with PAP therapy in patients with HFpEF was associated with a reduction in health care resource use. These data highlight the importance of managing concomitant OSA in patients with HFpEF, and the need for strategies to enhance PAP adherence in this population.

Impact of Sleep Duration and Chronotype on Cardiac Structure and Function: The UK Biobank Study

Sleep duration and chronotype have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We assessed for associations between sleep duration and chronotype on cardiac structure and function. UK Biobank participants with CMR data and without known cardiovascular disease were included. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized as short (<7 h/d), normal (7-9 h/d) and long (>9 h/d). Self-reported chronotype was categories as "definitely morning" or "definitely evening." Analysis included 3903 middle-aged adults: 929 short, 2924 normal and 50 long sleepers; with 966 definitely-morning and 355 definitely-evening chronotypes. Long sleep was independently associated with lower left ventricular (LV) mass (-4.8%, P = 0.035), left atrial maximum volume (-8.1%, P = 0.041) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (-4.8%, P = 0.038) compared to those with normal sleep duration. Evening chronotype was independently associated with lower LV end-diastolic volume (-2.4%, P = 0.021), RV end-diastolic volume (-3.6%, P = 0.0006), RV end systolic volume (-5.1%, P = 0.0009), RV stroke volume (RVSV -2.7%, P = 0.033), right atrial maximal volume (-4.3%, P = 0.011) and emptying fraction (+1.3%, P = 0.047) compared to morning chronotype. Sex interactions existed for sleep duration and chronotype and age interaction for chronotype even after considering potential confounders. In conclusion, longer sleep duration was independently associated with smaller LV mass, left atrial volume and RV volume. Evening chronotype was independently associated with smaller LV and RV and reduced RV function compared to morning chronotype. Sex interactions exist with cardiac remodeling most evident in males with long sleep duration and evening chronotype. Recommendations for sleep chronotype and duration may need to be individualized based on sex.

Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea increases risk of hospitalization among a racially diverse group of older adults with comorbid cardiovascular disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased risk for subsequent cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to determine the association between undiagnosed OSA and subsequent hospitalizations among older adults with preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD). A secondary objective was to determine the risk of 30-day hospital readmission associated with undiagnosed OSA among older adults with CVD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of a 5% sample of Medicare administrative claims data for years 2006-2013. Beneficiaries aged 65 years and older diagnosed with CVD were included. Undiagnosed OSA was defined as the 12-month period prior to OSA diagnosis. A similar 12-month period among beneficiaries not diagnosed with OSA was used for the comparison group (no OSA). Our primary outcome was the first all-cause hospital admission. Among beneficiaries with a hospital admission, 30-day readmission was assessed for the first hospital admission only.

RESULTS

Among 142,893 beneficiaries diagnosed with CVD, 19,390 had undiagnosed OSA. Among beneficiaries with undiagnosed OSA, 9,047 (46.7%) experienced at least 1 hospitalization whereas 27,027 (21.9%) of those without OSA experienced at least 1 hospitalization. Following adjustment, undiagnosed OSA was associated with increased risk of hospitalization (odds ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval 1.77, 1.87) relative to no OSA. Among beneficiaries with ≥ 1 hospitalization, undiagnosed OSA was associated with a smaller but significant effect in weighted models (odds ratio 1.18; 95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Undiagnosed OSA was associated with significantly increased risk of hospitalization and 30-day readmissions among older adults with preexisting CVD.

CITATION

Kirk J, Wickwire EM, Somers VK, Johnson DA, Albrecht JS. Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea increases risk of hospitalization among a racially diverse group of older adults with comorbid cardiovascular disease. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(7):1175-1181.

Sex-specific associations between daytime sleepiness, chronic diseases and mortality in obstructive sleep apnea

Objective

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is common in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has been linked to adverse outcomes, albeit inconsistently. Furthermore, whether the prognostic impact of EDS differs as a function of sex is unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between EDS and chronic diseases and mortality in men and women with OSA.

Methods

Newly-diagnosed adult OSA patients who underwent sleep evaluation at Mayo Clinic between November 2009 and April 2017 and completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for assessment of perceived sleepiness (N = 14,823) were included. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to investigate the relationships between sleepiness, with ESS modeled as a binary (ESS > 10) and as a continuous variable, and chronic diseases and all-cause mortality.

Results

In cross-sectional analysis, ESS > 10 was independently associated with lower risk of hypertension in male OSA patients (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 0.69-0.83) and with higher risk of diabetes mellitus in both OSA men (OR, 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.31) and women (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.45). Sex-specific curvilinear relations between ESS score and depression and cancer were noted. After a median 6.2 (4.5-8.1) years of follow-up, the hazard ratio for all-cause death in OSA women with ESS > 10 compared to those with ESS ≤ 10 was 1.24 (95% CI 1.05-1.47), after adjusting for demographics, sleep characteristics and comorbidities at baseline. In men, sleepiness was not associated with mortality.

Conclusion

The implications of EDS for morbidity and mortality risk in OSA are sex-dependent, with hypersomnolence being independently associated with greater vulnerability to premature death only in female patients. Efforts to mitigate mortality risk and restore daytime vigilance in women with OSA should be prioritized.

Detecting Unique Analyte-Specific Radio Frequency Spectral Responses in Liquid Solutions-Implications for Non-Invasive Physiologic Monitoring

With rising healthcare costs and the rapid increase in remote physiologic monitoring and care delivery, there is an increasing need for economical, accurate, and non-invasive continuous measures of blood analytes. Based on radio frequency identification (RFID), a novel electromagnetic technology (the Bio-RFID sensor) was developed to non-invasively penetrate inanimate surfaces, capture data from individual radio frequencies, and convert those data into physiologically meaningful information and insights. Here, we describe groundbreaking proof-of-principle studies using Bio-RFID to accurately measure various concentrations of analytes in deionized water. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that the Bio-RFID sensor is able to precisely and non-invasively measure and identify a variety of analytes in vitro. For this assessment, varying solutions of (1) water in isopropyl alcohol; (2) salt in water, and (3) commercial bleach in water were tested, using a randomized double-blind trial design, as proxies for biochemical solutions in general. The Bio-RFID technology was able to detect concentrations of 2000 parts per million (ppm), with evidence suggesting the ability to detect considerably smaller concentration differences.

Positive Airway Pressure Adherence and Health Care Resource Utilization in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure, although current evidence is equivocal regarding the potential benefits of treating OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in patients with heart failure. This study assessed the impact of adherence to PAP therapy on health care resource utilization in patients with OSA and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Methods and Results Administrative insurance claims data linked with objective PAP therapy use data from patients with OSA and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction were used to determine associations between PAP adherence and a composite outcome of hospitalizations and emergency room visits. One-year PAP adherence was based on an adapted US Medicare definition. Propensity score methods were used to create groups with similar characteristics across PAP adherence levels. The study cohort included 3182 patients (69.9% male, mean age 59.7 years); 39% were considered adherent to PAP therapy (29% intermediate adherent, 31% nonadherent). One year after PAP initiation, adherent patients had fewer composite visits than matched nonadherent patients, driven by a 24% reduction in emergency room visits for adherent patients. Composite visit costs were lower in adherent versus nonadherent patients ($3500 versus $5879, P=0.031), although total health care costs were not statistically different ($13 028 versus $14 729, P=0.889). Conclusions PAP therapy adherence in patients with OSA with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction was associated with a reduction in health care resource utilization. This suggests that greater emphasis should be placed on diagnosing and effectively treating OSA with PAP in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Impact of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices on Cost and Length of Stay in Patients With Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement and Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in aortic stenosis are associated with arrhythmic complications that can require cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation, but impact on healthcare-associated cost (HAC) and length of stay (LOS) are unknown. This study aimed to assess differences among SAVR/TAVI patients with CIED implantation on HAC and LOS. Patients hospitalized for SAVR or TAVI between 2011 and 2017 on the National Inpatient Sample database were identified and stratified according to presence/type of CIED implantation. During this period, 95,262 patients were identified; 6,435 (6.8%) patients received CIED (median [interquartile range] age: 74.0 [66.0 to 82.0] years). The median adjusted HAC was $44,271 and LOS was 6 days. CIED implantation was associated with longer LOS and higher adjusted HAC in patients with SAVR and TAVI (p <0.0001). Patients with in-hospital death and complications because of SAVR or TAVI had longer preceding in-hospital days of admission. Male patients admitted to small hospitals and the West region had the highest HAC. In conclusion, CIED implantation for arrhythmias results in higher HAC and longer LOS in patients with aortic stenosis for both SAVR and TAVI.

Accelerated Aging in LMNA Mutations Detected by Artificial Intelligence ECG-Derived Age

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate early aging in patients with lamin A/C (LMNA) gene mutations after hypothesizing that they have a biological age older than chronological age, as such a finding impacts care.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We applied a previously trained convolutional neural network model to predict biological age by electrocardiogram (ECG) [Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ECG age] to LMNA patients evaluated by multiple ECGs from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2019. The age gap was the difference between chronological age and AI-ECG age. Findings were compared with age-/sex-matched controls.

RESULTS

Thirty-one LMNA patients who had a total of 271 ECGs were studied. The median age at symptom onset was 22 years (range, <1-53 years; n=23 patients); eight patients were asymptomatic family members carrying the LMNA mutation. Cardiac involvement was detected by ECG and echocardiogram in 16 patients and consisted of ventricular arrhythmias (13), atrial fibrillation (12), and cardiomyopathy (6). Four patients required cardiac transplantation. Fourteen patients had neurological manifestations, mainly muscular dystrophy. LMNA mutation carriers, including asymptomatic carriers, were 16 years older by AI-ECG than non-LMNA carriers, suggesting accelerated biological age. Most LMNA patients had an age gap of more than 10 years, compared with controls (P<.001). Consecutive AI-ECG analysis showed accelerated aging in the LMNA group compared with controls (P<.0001). There were no significant differences in age-gap among LMNA patients based on phenotype.

CONCLUSION

AI-ECG predicted that LMNA patients have a biological age older than chronological age and accelerated aging even in the absence of cardiac abnormalities by traditional methods. Such a finding could translate into early medical intervention and serve as a disease biomarker.

Association of obstructive sleep apnoea with cardiovascular events in women and men with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

The impact of sex on the association of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with recurrent cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains uncertain. This study sought to examine the association between OSA and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in women and men with ACS.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 2160 ACS patients undergoing portable sleep monitoring between June 2015 and January 2020. The primary end-point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischaemia-driven revascularisation or hospitalisation for unstable angina or heart failure.

RESULTS

After exclusion of patients with failed sleep studies, central sleep apnoea, regular continuous positive airway pressure therapy and loss of follow-up, 1927 patients were enrolled. Among them, 298 (15.5%) were women and 1014 (52.6%) had OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥15 events·h^-1). The prevalence of OSA was 43.0% and 54.4% in women and men, respectively. In 4339 person-years (median 2.9 years, interquartile range 1.5-3.6 years), the cumulative incidence of MACCE was significantly higher in OSA versus non-OSA groups in the overall population (22.4% versus 17.7%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.59; p=0.018). OSA was associated with greater risk of MACCE in women (28.1% versus 18.8%; adjusted HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02-2.78; p=0.042), but not in men (21.6% versus 17.5%; adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.96-1.54; p=0.10). No significant interaction was noted between sex and OSA for MACCE (interaction p=0.32). The incremental risk in women was attributable to higher rates of hospitalisation for unstable angina and ischaemia-driven revascularisation.

CONCLUSIONS

In hospitalised ACS patients, OSA was associated with increased risk of subsequent events, particularly among women. Female patients with ACS should not be neglected for OSA screening and dedicated intervention studies focusing on women with ACS and comorbid OSA should be prioritised.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and implications for cardiovascular risk and disease prevention

The newly proposed term "metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) is replacing the old term "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" (NAFLD) in many global regions, because it better reflects the pathophysiology and cardiometabolic implications of this common liver disease. The proposed change in terminology from NAFLD to MAFLD is not simply a single-letter change in an acronym, since MAFLD is defined by a set of specific and positive diagnostic criteria. In particular, the MAFLD definition specifically incorporates within the classification recognized cardiovascular risk factors. Although convincing evidence supports a significant association between both NAFLD and MAFLD, with increased risk of CVD morbidity and mortality, neither NAFLD nor MAFLD have received sufficient attention from the Cardiology community. In fact, there is a paucity of scientific guidelines focusing on this common and burdensome liver disease from cardiovascular professional societies. This Perspective article discusses the rationale and clinical relevance for Cardiologists of the newly proposed MAFLD definition.

Effect of adaptive servo ventilation on central sleep apnea and sleep structure in systolic heart failure patients: polysomnography data from the SERVE-HF major sub study

This SERVE-HF (Treatment of Predominant Central Sleep Apnea by Adaptive Servo Ventilation in Patients With Heart Failure) sub study analysis evaluated polysomnography (PSG) data in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and predominant central sleep apnea (CSA) randomised to guideline-based medical therapy, with or without adaptive servo ventilation (ASV). Patients underwent full overnight PSG at baseline and at 12 months. All PSG recordings were analysed by a core laboratory. Only data for patients with baseline and 3- or 12-month values were included. The sub study included 312 patients; the number with available PSG data differed for each variable (94-103 in the control group, 77-99 in the ASV group). After 12 months, baseline-adjusted respiratory measures were significantly better in the ASV group versus control. Although some between-group differences in sleep measures were seen at 12 months (e.g., better sleep efficiency in the ASV group), these were unlikely to be clinically significant. The number of periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) increased in the ASV group (p = 0.039). At 12 months, the respiratory arousal index was significantly lower in the ASV versus control group (p < 0.001), whilst the PLMS-related arousal index was significantly higher in the ASV group (p = 0.04 versus control). ASV attenuated the respiratory variables characterising sleep apnea in patients with HFrEF and predominant CSA in SERVE-HF. Sleep quality improvements during ASV therapy were small and unlikely to be clinically significant. The increase in PLMS and PLMS-related arousals during ASV warrants further investigation, particularly relating to their potential association with increased cardiovascular risk.

Impact of intracardiac echocardiography on readmission morbidity and mortality following atrial fibrillation ablation

INTRODUCTION

The use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is beneficial during the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Evidence is conflicting regarding the clinical impact of using ICE on arrhythmia recurrence and mortality.

METHODS

Patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF during 2010-2017 were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-9th and 10th Revision-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM) from the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Propensity matching was used to generate a control group. Patient demographics, Charlson comorbidity indexes, time from discharge to readmission, and the reason of readmission were extracted.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2017, 51 129 patients were included in the analysis out of which ICE was used in 8005 (15.7%) patients. The in-hospital mortality at readmission was significantly higher in the patients without ICE use (2.9% vs. 1.7%, p = .02). The length of stay (LOS) at readmission was significantly higher in non-ICE arm (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 3 [2-6] vs. 2 [3-5] days, p < .0001) with similar healthcare-associated cost (HAC) in both the groups (median [IQR]: US$7507.3 [4057.8-15 474.2] vs. 7339.4 [4024.8-15 191.6], p = .43). Freedom from readmission was 12% higher (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval, CI]: 0.88 [0.83-0.94], p < .0001) with the use of ICE at 90-day follow-up, which was driven by 24% reduction in heart failure (HF) at follow-up (HR [95% CI]: 0.76 [0.60-0.96], p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

ICE use during AF ablation procedure reduces readmissions at 90 days by 12%, driven by a 24% decrease in HF-related admissions. The non-ICE arm showed a significantly higher LOS which offsets marginally higher HAC in the ICE arm.

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure reduces the risk of 30-day hospital readmission among older adults with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is underdiagnosed and undertreated among patients hospitalized with comorbid cardiovascular disease (CVD). Treatment of OSA may reduce health care utilization, but benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are related to adherence. Benefits of CPAP among hospitalized individuals with OSA and CVD have not been well studied. We evaluated the effect of CPAP adherence on 30-day hospital readmission among Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with OSA and CVD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years with pre-existing CVD who were newly diagnosed with OSA between 2009 and 2013, initiated CPAP, and were hospitalized. CPAP adherence was defined as nonadherent, partially adherent, or highly adherent based on the number of machine charges (< 4, 4-12, and > 12, respectively) over 25 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital readmission.

RESULTS

Among 1,301 beneficiaries meeting study criteria, the 30-day readmission rate was 10.2%. In adjusted models and compared to patients with low CPAP adherence, those with high adherence had lower odds of 30-day readmission (odds ratio 0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.70). The protective effect of high CPAP adherence on 30-day readmission was significant among beneficiaries with heart failure (odds ratio 0.50; 95% confidence interval 0.16, 0.79), but not among those with other CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationally representative sample of older adults with CVD and comorbid OSA, high CPAP adherence was associated with lower odds of 30-day readmission. These results highlight the importance of screening for and treating OSA among individuals with CVD.

CITATION

Bailey MD, Wickwire EM, Somers VK, Albrecht JS. Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure reduces the risk of 30-day hospital readmission among older adults with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(12):2739-2744.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Cardiac Arrhythmias in Adults: Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Implications: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), characterized by specific underlying physiological mechanisms, comprises obstructive and central pathophysiology, affects nearly 1 billion individuals worldwide, and is associated with excessive cardiopulmonary morbidity. Strong evidence implicates SDB in cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Immediate consequences of SDB include autonomic nervous system fluctuations, recurrent hypoxia, alterations in carbon dioxide/acid-base status, disrupted sleep architecture, and accompanying increases in negative intrathoracic pressures directly affecting cardiac function. Day-night patterning and circadian biology of SDB-induced pathophysiological sequelae collectively influence the structural and electrophysiological cardiac substrate, thereby creating an ideal milieu for arrhythmogenic propensity. Cohort studies support strong associations of SDB and cardiac arrhythmia, with evidence that discrete respiratory events trigger atrial and ventricular arrhythmic events. Observational studies suggest that SDB treatment reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence after rhythm control interventions. However, high-level evidence from clinical trials that supports a role for SDB intervention on rhythm control is not available. The goals of this scientific statement are to increase knowledge and awareness of the existing science relating SDB to cardiac arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and bradyarrhythmias), synthesizing data relevant for clinical practice and identifying current knowledge gaps, presenting best practice consensus statements, and prioritizing future scientific directions. Key opportunities identified that are specific to cardiac arrhythmia include optimizing SDB screening, characterizing SDB predictive metrics and underlying pathophysiology, elucidating sex-specific and background-related influences in SDB, assessing the role of mobile health innovations, and prioritizing the conduct of rigorous and adequately powered clinical trials.

Frequency of Arrhythmias and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Patients With Marfan Syndrome: A Nationwide Inpatient Study

Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder affecting multiple systems, particularly the cardiovascular system. The leading causes of death in MFS are aortopathies and valvular disease. We wanted to identify the frequency of arrhythmia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, length of hospital stay, health care-associated costs (HAC), and in-hospital mortality in patients with MFS. Methods and Results The National Inpatient Sample database from 2005 to 2014 was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for MFS and arrhythmias. Patients were classified into subgroups: supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia (VT), atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and without any type of arrhythmia. Data about length of stay, HAC, and in-hospital mortality were also abstracted from National Inpatient Sample database. Adjusted HAC was calculated as multiplying HAC and cost-to-charge ratio; 12 079 MFS hospitalizations were identified; 1893 patients (15.7%) had an arrhythmia; and 4.9% of the patients had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Median values of length of stay and adjusted HAC in VT group were the highest among the groups (VT: 6 days, $18 975.8; supraventricular tachycardia: 4 days, $11 906.6; atrial flutter: 4 days, $11 274.5; atrial fibrillation: 5 days, $10431.4; without any type of arrhythmia: 4 days, $8336.6; both P=0.0001). VT group had highest in-patient mortality (VT: 5.3%, atrial fibrillation: 4.1%, without any type of arrhythmia: 2.1%, atrial flutter: 1.7%, supraventricular tachycardia: 0%; P<0.0001) even after adjustment for potential confounders (without any type of arrhythmia versus VT; odds ratio [95% CI]: 3.18 [1.62-6.24], P=0.001). Conclusions Arrhythmias and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in MFS were high and associated with increased length of stay, HAC, and in-hospital mortality especially in patients with VT.

Risk of Sudden Death in a General Unbiased Epidemiological Cohort of Sarcoidosis

Background

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, noncaseating, granulomatous disorder of unknown cause that can affect any body system and is associated with cardiovascular disease including sudden cardiac death (SCD). Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is associated with higher risk of SCD, but the SCD risk in the general sarcoidosis population is unknown. We aimed to determine the risk of SCD in people with sarcoidosis versus the matched general population.

Methods and Results

A population‐based cohort of sarcoidosis and age‐ and sex‐matched comparators from January 1, 1976 to December 31, 2013 was used; presence of other comorbidities in the comparator group was not an exclusion criterion. Mortality, including time, place, and cause of death were measured and manually adjudicated for SCD events. Incidence rates are reported per 100 000 person‐years, and Cox models were used for group comparisons. Of the 345 incident cases of sarcoidosis (171 men; 50%) there were 58 reported deaths; 10 were definite/probable SCD versus 57 all‐cause and 9 SCDs in comparators. Median follow‐up was 12.9 years (interquartile range, 6.0–23.4 years) . Incidence rate of SCD in sarcoidosis was 192 (95% CI, 92–352) versus 155 (95% CI, 71–294) in comparators (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28 (95% CI, 0.52–3.17). Nocturnal deaths were more frequent in sarcoidosis 57 (95% CI, 12–168) versus 17 (95% CI, 0.4–95) (HR, 3.76 [95% CI, 0.39–36.47]). No significant differences were detected between the groups by sex, age, calendar year of diagnosis, or disease duration.

Conclusions

In a population‐based cohort of patients with sarcoidosis, the risk for SCD compared with matched comparators was not increased. There were more nocturnal deaths among patients with sarcoidosis, yet this was statistically insignificant.

Frequency, Penetrance, and Variable Expressivity of Dilated Cardiomyopathy-Associated Putative Pathogenic Gene Variants in UK Biobank Participants

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data regarding the phenotype of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) gene variants in the general population. We aimed to determine the frequency and penetrance of DCM-associated putative pathogenic gene variants in a general adult population, with a focus on the expression of clinical and subclinical phenotype, including structural, functional, and arrhythmic disease features.

METHODS

UK Biobank participants who had undergone whole exome sequencing, ECG, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were selected for study. Three variant-calling strategies (1 primary and 2 secondary) were used to identify participants with putative pathogenic variants in 44 DCM genes. The observed phenotype was graded DCM (clinical or cardiovascular magnetic resonance diagnosis); early DCM features, including arrhythmia or conduction disease, isolated ventricular dilation, and hypokinetic nondilated cardiomyopathy; or phenotype-negative.

RESULTS

Among 18 665 individuals included in the study, 1463 (7.8%) possessed ≥1 putative pathogenic variant in 44 DCM genes by the main variant calling strategy. A clinical diagnosis of DCM was present in 0.34% and early DCM features in 5.7% of individuals with putative pathogenic variants. ECG and cardiovascular magnetic resonance analysis revealed evidence of subclinical DCM in an additional 1.6% and early DCM features in an additional 15.9% of individuals with putative pathogenic variants. Arrhythmias or conduction disease (15.2%) were the most common early DCM features, followed by hypokinetic nondilated cardiomyopathy (4%). The combined clinical/subclinical penetrance was ≤30% with all 3 variant filtering strategies. Clinical DCM was slightly more prevalent among participants with putative pathogenic variants in definitive/strong evidence genes as compared with those with variants in moderate/limited evidence genes.

CONCLUSIONS

In the UK Biobank, ≈1 of 6 of adults with putative pathogenic variants in DCM genes exhibited early DCM features potentially associated with DCM genotype, most commonly manifesting with arrhythmias in the absence of substantial ventricular dilation or dysfunction.

Implications of sympathetic activation for objective versus self-reported daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Objective excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is associated with systemic inflammation and a higher risk of cardiometabolic morbidity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that OSA with objective EDS is associated with higher levels of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) when compared with self-reported EDS. We, therefore, examined the associations between objective and self-reported EDS with SNA in patients with OSA.

METHODS

We studied 147 consecutive male patients with OSA from the institutional sleep clinic. Objective EDS and self-reported EDS were defined based on Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) latency ≤ 8 minutes and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) > 10, respectively. Twenty-four-hour urinary norepinephrine was used for assessing SNA. Blood pressure (BP) was measured both in the evening and in the morning.

RESULTS

Twenty-four-hour urinary norepinephrine was significantly higher in patients with OSA with objective EDS compared with those without objective EDS (p = 0.034), whereas it was lower in patients with OSA with self-reported EDS compared with those without self-reported EDS (p = 0.038) after adjusting for confounders. Differences in the sympathetic drive were most striking in those with an objective but not self-reported EDS versus those with self-reported but not objective EDS (p = 0.002). Moreover, shorter MSLT latency was significantly associated with higher diastolic BP (β = -0.156, p = 0.049) but not systolic BP. No significant association between ESS scores and BP was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Objective, but not self-reported EDS, is associated with increased SNA and diastolic BP among males with OSA, suggesting that objective EDS is a more severe phenotype of OSA that is accompanied by higher sympathetic drive, higher BP, and possibly greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Association of Preoperative Sleep-Disordered Breathing With Functional Status After Septal Myectomy for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a risk factor for heart failure symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the relationship between preoperative SDB and postoperative functional status after septal myectomy (SM) is unknown. In this study, we investigated the association of preoperative SDB with late self-reported health status among patients undergoing SM for obstructive HCM.

Methods

Prior to SM, an overnight pulse oximetry test was used to measure oxygen desaturation index (ODI), which indicates the average number of desaturation episodes with at least 4% of drops in oxygen level from baseline per hour of sleep. Patients reported postoperative function through a questionnaire-based survey completed 3-5 years following SM.

Results

We analyzed 264 patients who underwent transaortic SM from November 2005 through April 2016. On predischarge transthoracic echocardiography post-procedure, no significant difference was present in the extent of mitral valve regurgitation (P = 0.524), left ventricular outflow tract gradient (P = 0.405), or septal thickness (P = 0.744) related to ODI. At 3 to 5 years after their operation, 236 patients (89%) reported good or excellent health. Approximately 18% (n = 48) and 8% (n = 22) of the cohort continued to experience exertional dyspnea and chest tightness, respectively, on walking 2 blocks or less. A greater ODI was not an independent predictor of worse health status or residual symptoms.

Conclusions

Relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in patients with obstructive HCM improves symptoms, with 89% of patients reporting good or excellent health. Preoperative SDB is not significantly associated with late functional status after septal myectomy.

Effects of Experimental Sleep Restriction on Energy Intake, Energy Expenditure, and Visceral Obesity

BACKGROUND

Although the consequences of sleep deficiency for obesity risk are increasingly apparent, experimental evidence is limited and there are no studies on body fat distribution.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of experimentally-induced sleep curtailment in the setting of free access to food on energy intake, energy expenditure, and regional body composition.

METHODS

Twelve healthy, nonobese individuals (9 males, age range 19 to 39 years) completed a randomized, controlled, crossover, 21-day inpatient study comprising 4 days of acclimation, 14 days of experimental sleep restriction (4 hour sleep opportunity) or control sleep (9 hour sleep opportunity), and a 3-day recovery segment. Repeated measures of energy intake, energy expenditure, body weight, body composition, fat distribution and circulating biomarkers were acquired.

RESULTS

With sleep restriction vs control, participants consumed more calories (P = 0.015), increasing protein (P = 0.050) and fat intake (P = 0.046). Energy expenditure was unchanged (all P > 0.16). Participants gained significantly more weight when exposed to experimental sleep restriction than during control sleep (P = 0.008). While changes in total body fat did not differ between conditions (P = 0.710), total abdominal fat increased only during sleep restriction (P = 0.011), with significant increases evident in both subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat depots (P = 0.047 and P = 0.042, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep restriction combined with ad libitum food promotes excess energy intake without varying energy expenditure. Weight gain and particularly central accumulation of fat indicate that sleep loss predisposes to abdominal visceral obesity. (Sleep Restriction and Obesity; NCT01580761).

Research Opportunities in Autonomic Neural Mechanisms of Cardiopulmonary Regulation: A Report From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director Workshop

This virtual workshop was convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in partnership with the Office of Strategic Coordination of the Office of the National Institutes of Health Director, and held September 2 to 3, 2020. The intent was to assemble a multidisciplinary group of experts in basic, translational, and clinical research in neuroscience and cardiopulmonary disorders to identify knowledge gaps, guide future research efforts, and foster multidisciplinary collaborations pertaining to autonomic neural mechanisms of cardiopulmonary regulation. The group critically evaluated the current state of knowledge of the roles that the autonomic nervous system plays in regulation of cardiopulmonary function in health and in pathophysiology of arrhythmias, heart failure, sleep and circadian dysfunction, and breathing disorders. Opportunities to leverage the Common Fund's SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) program were characterized as related to nonpharmacologic neuromodulation and device-based therapies. Common themes discussed include knowledge gaps, research priorities, and approaches to develop novel predictive markers of autonomic dysfunction. Approaches to precisely target neural pathophysiological mechanisms to herald new therapies for arrhythmias, heart failure, sleep and circadian rhythm physiology, and breathing disorders were also detailed.

Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with acute aortic dissection

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) imposes an afterload burden on the left ventricle and increases the pressure gradient across the aortic wall. Thus, OSA may increase the risk for aortic dissection (AD).

Methods

This study enrolled 40 subjects with acute AD from four institutions; 37 completed the modified Berlin Questionnaire and 31 underwent attended overnight polysomnography. Aortic diameter was measured on a computed tomography scan at seven locations from the sinotubular junction to the diaphragm.

Results

Twenty‐seven subjects had type A dissection; 13 had type B. In those who had polysomnography apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ranged from 0.7 to 89. Prevalence of OSA (AHI ≥ 5) was 61%. Nocturnal presentation (10 p.m.–7 a.m.) did not differ by presence/absence of OSA. The modified Berlin Questionnaire was not predictive of the presence of OSA. Among type A subjects with polysomnography (n = 23), aortic diameters at all locations were greater in the OSA group though differences were not statistically significant. Summating aortic diameters at the seven locations also yielded a numerically larger mean value in the OSA group versus the non‐OSA group.

Conclusions

In this sample of patients with acute dissection, OSA was prevalent but was not associated with a nocturnal presentation. The presence of underlying OSA may be associated with larger aortic diameters at the time of dissection compared to patients without OSA. Though differences did not meet statistical significance the current series is limited by small numbers.

Trends in Use of Melatonin Supplements Among US Adults, 1999-2018

This study examines reported prevalence and trends in use of melatonin supplements among US adults from 1999 through 2018.

Sleep Duration and Hypertension: Epidemiological Evidence and Underlying Mechanisms

While the contribution of several physiological systems to arterial blood pressure regulation has been studied extensively, the role of normal and disrupted sleep as a modifiable determinant of blood pressure control, and in the pathophysiology of hypertension, has only recently emerged. Several sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and insomnia, are thought to contribute to the development of hypertension, although less attention is paid to the relationship between sleep duration and blood pressure independent of sleep disorders per se. Accordingly, this review focuses principally on the physiology of sleep and the consequences of abnormal sleep duration both experimentally and at the population level. Clinical implications for patients with insomnia who may or may not have abbreviated sleep duration are explored. As a corollary, we further review studies of the effects of sleep extension on blood pressure regulation. We also discuss epidemiological evidence suggesting that long sleep may also be associated with hypertension and describe the parabolic relationship between total sleep time and blood pressure. We conclude by highlighting gaps in the literature regarding the potential role of gut microbial health in the cross-communication of lifestyle patterns (exercise, diet, and sleep) with blood pressure regulation. Additionally, we discuss populations at increased risk of short sleep, and specifically the need to understand mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in women, pregnancy, the elderly, and in African Americans.

Rest-Activity Rhythm Is Associated With Obesity Phenotypes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase in spite of substantial efforts towards its prevention, posing a major threat to health globally. Circadian disruption has been associated with a wide range of preclinical and clinical disorders, including obesity. However, whether rest-activity rhythm (RAR), an expression of the endogenous circadian rhythm, is associated with excess adiposity is poorly understood. Here we aimed to assess the association of RAR with general and abdominal obesity.

METHODS

Non-institutionalized adults aged ≥20 years participating in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 who wore accelerometers for at least four 24-hour periods were included (N=7,838). Amplitude, mesor, acrophase and pseudo-F statistic of RAR were estimated using extended cosinor model, and interdaily stability (IS) and intradaily variability (IV) were computed by nonparametric methods. We tested the association between rest-activity rhythm and general obesity defined by body mass index and abdominal obesity by waist circumference. Waist-to-height ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter, and total and trunk fat percentages measured by imaging methods were also analyzed.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis, low amplitude (magnitude of the rhythm), mesor (rhythm-corrected average activity level), pseudo-F statistic (robustness of the rhythm), IS (day-to-day rhythm stability), or high IV (rhythm fragmentation) were independently associated with higher likelihood of general or abdominal obesity (all Ps<.05). Consistently, RAR metrics were similarly associated with all adiposity measures (all Ps<.01). Delayed phase of RAR (later acrophase) was only significantly related to general and abdominal obesity in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Aberrant RAR is independently associated with anthropometric and imaging measures of general and abdominal obesity. Longitudinal studies assessing whether RAR metrics can predict weight gain and incident obesity are warranted.