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Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea in cardiac rehabilitation: A position statement from the Australian Centre for Heart Health and the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association

Le Grande, Michael R; Neubeck, Lis; Murphy, Barbara M; McIvor, Dawn; Lynch, Dianna; McLean, Helen; Jackson, Alun C

Authors

Michael R Le Grande

Barbara M Murphy

Dawn McIvor

Dianna Lynch

Helen McLean

Alun C Jackson



Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea is highly prevalent in acute coronary syndrome patients eligible for enrolment in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. This condition is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and comorbid conditions in the general population and can lead to an increase in major adverse cardiac events such as revascularization, heart failure and hospital readmission in cardiac patients. There is convincing evidence that treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure or mandibular advancement devices can successfully treat obstructive sleep apnoea and these
conditions can be improved or negated resulting in improved cardiac rehabilitation outcomes and improved health related quality of life. Given the potential benefits of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment it would make sense to screen for this condition upon entry to out-patient cardiac rehabilitation programmes. A two-stage approach to screening is recommended, where patients are initially evaluated for the probability of having obstructive sleep apnoea using a brief questionnaire (The STOP-Bang) and then followed up with objective evaluation (portable home monitor or polysomnography) where necessary. Potential barriers to further referral and treatment could be partly mitigated by the training of cardiac rehabilitation staff in sleep disorders and screening.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 13, 2016
Online Publication Date Jun 6, 2016
Publication Date Sep 1, 2016
Deposit Date Sep 30, 2016
Journal European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
Print ISSN 2047-4873
Electronic ISSN 2047-4881
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Issue 14
Pages 1466-1475
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487316652975
Keywords Obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiac rehabilitation, screening,
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/397329