OBSERVATION OF SLEEP-RELATED BREATHING DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE BY AMBULATORY ELECTROCARDIOGRAM RESPIRATION MONITORING-SYSTEM

Eighty-five coronary artery patients examined using an ambulatory elec trocardiogram-respiration monitoring system (AERMS) in which a respira tory sensor was strapped to the right upper abdominal wall. Apnea was defined as a cessation of abdominal wall movement lasting at least 10 sec. Sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) was diagnosed if at least 30 apneic episodes were observed during sleep. The cardiac events eva luated during follow-up included occurrence of sudden death, myocardia l infarction and ventricular tachycardia. SRBD was detected in 9 of 85 patients (11%). There were more patients with low EF (EF < 50%) in th e SRBD group than in the non-SRBD group (p < 0.01). During follow-up f or a mean period of 18.4 +/- 7.6 months after ambulatory recording, fo ur of nine (44%) patients in the SRBD group had cardiac events, compar ed with only four of 79 (6%) patients in the non-SRBD group (p < 0.001 ). Thus, coronary artery patients who were complicated with SRBD showe d poor cardiac function and had a high incidence of cardiac events.