Abstract
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common finding in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). SDB can cause negative effects on the cardiovascular system and can contribute to the worsening of the underlying disease. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a major independent risk factor for the manifestation and progression of cardiovascular diseases, whereas central sleep apnoea (CSA) and Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is a common finding in patients with advanced heart failure (HF), possibly leading to further progression. Therapy of SDB can reduce the risk of development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for OSA, which has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality. Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) is currently the most effective treatment modality in patients with CSA/CSR and in HF patients, which leads to an improvement of symptoms, but still awaits its evaluation on patients' prognosis (currently being tested in a large randomised clinical trial). It has to be noted that the beneficial effects for both treatment modalities are strongly dependent on adequate adherence.
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