The Clinical Significance of CPAP Treatment for Severe OSAHS Combined with AF

<i>Background: </i>Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is one of the independent risk factors for multiple systemic diseases, with the most significant impact on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, including hypertension and coronary heart disease, among which OSAHS is often overlooked. However, atrial fibrillation caused by OSAHS is very common in clinical practice. <i>Objective: </i>To observe the clinical efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with moderate to severe OSAHS complicated by atrial fibrillation. Additionally, to explore the mechanisms and treatment methods for atrial fibrillation in patients with OSAHS. <i>Methods: </i>A total of 60 patients with moderate to severe OSAHS complicated by atrial fibrillation who visited our hospital from January 2024 to January 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received conventional medication and CPAP treatment, while the control group received only conventional medication. After 10 days of treatment, polysomnography (PSG) and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed to observe the clinical efficacy, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), average nocturnal oxygen saturation, oxygen desaturation index, and the number of nocturnal atrial fibrillation episodes in both groups. <i>Results: </i>After 10 days of treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference. In the treatment group, AHI returned to normal after CPAP treatment, the oxygen desaturation index decreased, the average nocturnal blood oxygen saturation normalized, and the number of nocturnal atrial fibrillation episodes significantly decreased, all with statistically significant differences. <i>Conclusion: </i>On the basis of conventional medication, the addition of CPAP can effectively treat moderate to severe OSAHS complicated by atrial fibrillation and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. It was also found that hypoxia is the main mechanism for the occurrence of nocturnal atrial fibrillation in patients with OSAHS.