Sleep apnea and AF are both associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes [1,2]. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) than in patients with other cardiovascular diseases [3]. Conversely, the prevalence of AF is approximately four times higher in individuals with OSA compared to those without OSA [4,5]. OSA can directly promote AF through intrathoracic pressure shifts, sympathovagal imbalance, atrial remodelling, blood pressure oscillations, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, all exacerbated by apnea-induced intermittent hypoxia [6].
