The Relationship between Nocturnal Hypoxemia and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Congestive Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure is a major cause of hospitalization. Many of the studies shown association between sleep-related breathing disorders and heart failure. Studies have shown that the relationship between nocturnal hypoxia and left ventricular dysfunction can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) treatment will improve of CHF treatment. This study examines the prevalence of sleep disorder in stable heart failure patients regardless of ejection fraction. This study was a descriptive-analytical study. 108 patients with heart failure were studied. This study was conducted on 108 patients with heart failure. A questionnaire consisting of two parts (part I consistent of demographic information and part II consistent of sleep disorders) and clinical examination (pulse oximetery and echocardiography) were used to collection of data. The data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software and were used descriptive and analytical tests included q square, Pearson correlation and ANOVA. 56 persons (51.9%) of patients were female and 52 persons (48.1%) were male, mean age 65.42 ± 11 years. In total sleep duration, 95 patients (88%) had nocturnal hypoxemia. There was correlation between arterial oxygen desaturation at night with Ejection fraction. This study confirm strong associations between nocturnal hypoxia and left ventricular dysfunction. In clinical treatment of systolic heart failure, SRBD should be consider.