Background Heart failure (HF) is characterized by its high
mortality, frequent hospitalizations, and reduced quality of
life. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), one of the common
comorbidities, accelerates the progression of HF.
Objectives The objectives of the study were (a) to investigate
the prevalence and type of SDB in HF patients and (b) to
determine the predictors of SDB.
Materials and methods In a cross-sectional analytic study,
all eligible patients of Assiut Chest and Cardiology
Department admitted (100 patients) during the period from
August 2015 to March 2016 were included in this study.
Clinical assessment, full-night attended polysomnography,
and echocardiography were recorded and compared
between patients with (SDB) (85 patients) and those without
SDB (15 patients).
Results SDB was found in 85% of patients [53% had
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 32% had central sleep
apnea (CSA)]. OSA patients are characterized by higher BMI
and neck and waist circumference. There was a higher
prevalence of hypertension, as well as mean blood pressure,
systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, in OSA
patients. Loud snoring was the only clinical symptom
associated with OSA as compared with CSA. CSA patients
had a significant reduction in PaCO2. OSA patients showed a
significant increase in desaturation index and time spent with
oxygen saturation less than 90%. Maximum heart rate and
brady/tachy index were significantly increased in OSA. Cycle
length was significantly increased in CSA.
Conclusion The prevalence of sleep apnea was high in
patients with stable HF (85%). OSA was the predominant type
(53%). The predictors of SDB were BMI (≥30), systemic
hypertension, neck circumference more than 40 cm, waist
circumference more than 110 cm, and e