Atrial Fibrosis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: A Pilot Study

This is a cross sectional pilot study. Sixty mild to severe OSA patients and five age- and Body Mass Index (BMI)-matched controls will undergo a DE-MRI. Demographics, medical history and polysomnography results will be collected. Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea have undergone a polysomnography before the study and were diagnosed based on this test. The investigators will not be performing a polysomnography for any of the patients, just collecting the previous results from their medical charts to confirm they have a true OSA diagnosis for their inclusion in the study.

Inclusion criteria

Group A: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With mild OSA (5<AHI<15), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group B: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With moderate OSA (15<AHI<30), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group C: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With severe OSA (AHI>30), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group D (mild OSA+ AF): 10 patients 18-75-year-old With mild OSA (5<AHI<15), confirmed by polysomnography. Previous AF diagnosis

• In this group, patients with AF and OSA who already have done MRI might be included.

Group E (severe OSA +AF): 10 patients 18-75-year-old With severe OSA (AHI>30), confirmed by polysomnography. Previous AF diagnosis

*In this group, patients with AF and OSA who already have done MRI might be included.

Group F (Control): 10 Patients 18-75-year-old No previous OSA and/or AF Diagnosis on the medical chart

Exclusion criteria

• History of chronic heart failure (LVEF < 50%), AF, myocardial infarction, valvular disease.
• Prior cardiac or chest surgery.
• Other advanced pulmonary disease (severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthma, pulmonary hypertension) or central sleep apnea.
• Contraindications to DE-MRI (e.g. allergy to gadolinium, pacemakers, defibrillators (ICD's), other devices/implants contraindicated for MRI, glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min, etc.).
• Pregnancy.
• Inability to give informed consent.