Validation Against Polysomnography of a Transthoracic Impedance Sensor for Screening of Sleep Apnea in Heart Failure Patients: A Pooled Analysis of AIRLESS and UPGRADE
2024

Validation of a Sensor for Screening Sleep Apnea in Heart Failure Patients

Sample size: 80 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Barbieri Fabian, Adukauskaite Agne, Spitaler Philipp, Senoner Thomas, Pfeifer Bernhard, Neururer Sabrina, Jacon Peggy, Venier Sandrine, Limon Sarah, Ben Messaoud Raoua, Pépin Jean-Louis, Hintringer Florian, Dichtl Wolfgang, Defaye Pascal

Primary Institution: Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Berlin, Germany

Hypothesis

Can the AP scan® sensor accurately screen for sleep apnea in heart failure patients compared to polysomnography?

Conclusion

The AP scan® sensor correlates well with polysomnography-derived apnea-hypopnea index in heart failure patients, particularly in those with obstructive sleep apnea.

Supporting Evidence

  • The AP scan® correlated significantly with the AHI (r = 0.61, p < 0.001).
  • Median AHI was 21.6 events/h, while median AP scan® was 33.0 events/h.
  • The AP scan® performed well in females (r = 0.71, p = 0.047).
  • Strong correlation was observed in OSA patients (r = 0.73, p = 0.011).
  • No correlation was found in patients suffering from CSA (r = 0.28, p = 0.348).
  • Taking multiple measurements did not improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • 58.8% of participants were obese, which may affect sleep apnea severity.
  • Overall, 67.5% of patients received an upgrade to a CRT system.

Takeaway

Doctors used a special sensor to check if heart failure patients have sleep apnea, and it worked pretty well compared to the best tests.

Methodology

The study pooled data from two trials, AIRLESS and UPGRADE, to validate the AP scan® against polysomnography in heart failure patients.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small number of participants and differences in inclusion criteria between the two trials.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and included only heart failure patients, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Majority were male (83.8%) with a median age of 73 years; 58.8% were obese.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI −38.2 to 13.0

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/jcm13247519

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication