Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With the Risk of Repeat Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: The impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains inconclusive.

Aim: Our aim was to systematically assess the relationship between preexisting OSA and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with newly diagnosed ACS by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library for studies published up to May 1, 2020, that reported any association between OSA and cardiovascular events in patients with newly diagnosed ACS. The main outcomes were a composite of all-cause or cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, repeat revascularization, or heart failure. We conducted a pooled analysis using the random-effects model. We also performed subgroup, sensitivity, heterogeneity analysis, and the assessment of publication bias.

Results: We identified 10 studies encompassing 3350 participants. The presence of OSA was associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in newly prognosed ACS (risk ratio [RR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-3.26, P < .001, I² = 64%). Between-study heterogeneity was partially explained by a multicenter study (9 single-center studies, RR 2.33 95% CI 1.69-3.19, I² =18%), and I² remarkably decreased from 64% to 18%. Moreover, OSA significantly increased the incidence of repeat revascularization (8 studies) and heart failure (6 studies) in patients with newly diagnosed ACS.

Conclusion: Patients with preexisting OSA are at greater risk of subsequent cardiovascular events after onset of ACS. Further studies should investigate the treatment of OSA in patient with ACS.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; meta-analysis; obstructive sleep apnea.