Obstructive sleep apnea increases heart rhythm disorders and worsens subsequent outcomes in elderly patients with subacute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is a potential cardiovascular risk.We aimed to investigate the association of OSA with heart rhythm disorders and prognosis in elderly patients with new-onset acute myocardial infarction(AMI).METHODS We prospectively enrolled 252 AMI elderly patients(mean age,68.5±6.9 years)who were undergoing revascularization and completed a sleep study during their hospitalization.All subjects were categorized into non-OSA(apnea–hypopnea index(AHI)<15,n=130)and OSA(AHI≥15,n=122)groups based on the AHI.The changes in the autonomic nervous system,incidence of arrhythmia during nocturnal sleep,and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCEs)were compared between the groups.RESULTS The mean AHI value in all AMI patients was 22.8±10.9.OSA patients showed higher levels of body mass index and peak high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and lower levels of minimum nocturnal oxygen saturation(Min Sa O2),as well as greater proportion of multivessel coronary artery disease(all P<0.05).The OSA group also showed significant increases in heart rate variability and heart rate turbulence onset(both P<0.05)and higher incidence of arrhythmia(including sinus,atrial,and ventricular in origin).At a median follow-up of 6 months(mean 0.8–1.6 years),OSA(AHI≥15)combined with hypoxia(Min Sa O2≤80%)was independently associated with the incidence of MACCEs(hazard ratio[HR]:4.536;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.461-14.084,P=0.009)after adjusting for traditional risk factors.CONCLUSIONS OSA and OSA-induced hypoxia may correlate with the severity of myocardial infarction,increase the occurrence of heart rhythm disorders in elderly subacute MI patients,and worsen their short-term poor outcomes.

Comparing the rhythm and frequency of heart,breathing and knee movement in Tai Chi Chuan

Background:The basic exercise involved in TCC is a series of individual movements that are linked together in a continuous manner and that flow smoothly from one movement to another.Deep breathing and mental concentration are also required to achieve harmony

Role of induced pluripotent stem cells in diagnostic cardiology

Ethical concerns about stem cell-based research have delayed important advances in many areas of medicine,including cardiology.The introduction of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)has supplanted the need to use human stem cells for most purposes,thus eliminating all ethical controversies.Since then,many new avenues have been opened in cardiology research,not only in approaches to tissue replacement but also in the design and testing of antiarrhythmic drugs.This methodology has advanced to the point where induced human cardiomyocyte cell lines can now also be obtained from commercial sources or tissue banks.Initial studies with readily available iPSCs have generally confirmed that their behavioral characteristics accurately predict the behavior of beating cardiomyocytes in vivo.As a result,iPSCs can provide new ways to study arrhythmias and heart disease in general,accelerating the development of new,more effective antiarrhythmic drugs,clinical diagnoses,and personalized medical care.The focus on producing cardiomyocytes that can be used to replace damaged heart tissue has somewhat diverted interest in a host of other applications.This manuscript is intended to provide non-specialists with a brief introduction and overview of the research carried out in the field of heart rhythm disorders.