Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea with Cheyne-Stokes respiration 
are associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Apnea- associated 
arrhythmia may contribute to sudden cardiac death and premature mortality in 
those patients. Both forms of sleep apnea excert strong modulatory effects on 
the autonomic system with a special autonomic profile. Profound vagal activity 
is leading to bradyarrhythmias, and sypathico-excitation to tachyarrhythmias. 
Atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias in obstructive and central sleep 
apnea patients are mainly found in combination with cardiovascular comorbidity 
(coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic heart failure). 
Bradyarrhythmias in OSA are induced by a cardioinhibitory vagal reflex due to 
obstructed airway. CPAP-therapy has been demonstrated to reduce arrhythmias.