Heart failure is not a determinant of central apnea index in the
pediatric population
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adults with heart failure (HF) have high
prevalence of central sleep apnea (CSA). While this has been repeatedly
investigated in adults, there is a deficiency of similar research in the
pediatric population. The goal of this study was to compare prevalence
of CSA in children with and without HF and correlate central apnea
events with heart function. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from
children with and without HF was conducted. Eligible children were
<18 years old with echocardiogram and polysomnogram within 6
months of each other. Children were separated into groups with and
without HF and groups with and without elevated central apnea index
(CAI) for comparative study. Results: 120 children (+HF:19, -HF:101)
were included. The +HF group was younger, with higher prevalence of
trisomy 21, muscular dystrophy, oromotor incoordination, and structural
heart disease and lower Apnea Hypopnea Index and lower CAI. Prevalence
of CSA was similar in both the groups. LogCAI was inversely correlated
to age at time of sleep study. Children with elevated CAI were younger
and had higher prevalence of prematurity. There was no difference in
left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between groups with and
without elevated CAI. Conclusion: In contrast to adults, after adjusting
for age, there is no difference in frequency of central apneic events in
children with and without heart failure. Unlike in adults, LVEF does not
correlate with CAI in children. Overall, it appears that CAI may be more
a function of age rather than of heart function in the pediatric
population.