Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), modulated by cardiac autonomic function, is impaired in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on HRV is debated.
Objectives: To investigate the associations between CPAP and HRV in OSA.
Methods: Based on literature from five databases published through August 2017, we performed a meta-analysis of cohort studies of OSA treated with CPAP. The change of low-frequency band (LF), high-frequency band (HF) and the ratio between LF and HF (LHR) were analyzed.
Results: Eleven studies were included. Decreased LF (SMD = -0.32, 95%CI: -0.62,-0.01; P = 0.043) and HF (SMD = -0.51, 95%CI: -0.95, -0.08, P = 0.020) were shown while measured on CPAP. When measured off CPAP, HF was increased remarkably (SMD: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.60, P = 0.034).
Conclusions: CPAP can improve autonomic activity, which might be one mechanism to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in OSA.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Continuous positive airway pressure; Heart rate variability; Sympatho-vagal activity.
Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.