These results demonstrate that intermittent hypoxia (but not sleep fragmentation) causes reductions and remodeling of atrial Cx40 and Cx43. These alterations may contribute to the substrate for atrial fibrillation that develops in response to obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, these connexin changes are likely generated in response to reactive oxygen species generated by NOX2.
Keyphrases
- reactive oxygen species
- atrial fibrillation
- catheter ablation
- left atrial
- obstructive sleep apnea
- high intensity
- oral anticoagulants
- endothelial cells
- left atrial appendage
- direct oral anticoagulants
- heart failure
- physical activity
- positive airway pressure
- percutaneous coronary intervention
- mitral valve
- sleep quality
- left ventricular
- depressive symptoms
- amino acid
- sleep apnea
- acute coronary syndrome