CPAP for sleep apnea–triggered atrial fibrillation
Sleep Apnea Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation: N-of-1 Randomized Control Trial (SPARTA):
This pilot tests whether alternating periods with and without CPAP can cut down AF episodes and improve AF-related quality of life for people with paroxysmal AF and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Cleveland Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Cleveland, Ohio and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07087587 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a pilot N-of-1 randomized crossover trial in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Each participant alternates between 2-week periods with CPAP and 2-week periods without CPAP over a three-month total follow-up. AF episode data are collected continuously from participants' implanted cardiac devices and AF-related quality of life is measured with the AFEQT questionnaire. The study also tracks CPAP adherence to examine its relationship with changes in AF burden and will inform the design of a larger randomized trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–85 with paroxysmal AF (atrial burden ≥1%), moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥15), an implanted device with atrial diagnostics, and enrollment in remote monitoring are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without implanted atrial-monitoring devices, with central sleep apnea, recent AF ablation (<6 months), or already on non-CPAP OSA therapies are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, using CPAP consistently could reduce the number of AF episodes and improve patients' AF-related quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Observational studies and some cohort data have suggested CPAP may lower AF recurrence, but randomized evidence is limited and the N-of-1 crossover approach here is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Informed consent 2. Age 18-85 years 3. High burden paroxysmal AF (≥1%) 4. Moderate-severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15) 5. Implanted device with atrial diagnostics 6. Enrolled in remote monitoring Exclusion Criteria: 1. AF ablation \<6 months 2. Valvular abnormalities 3. Excessive daytime sleepiness in safety-critical jobs 4. Plans for ablation during study 5. Non-CPAP OSA treatment 6. Recent device implantation (\<6 months) 7. Central sleep apnea
Where this trial is running
Cleveland, Ohio and 1 other locations
- Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
- University of Washington — Seattle, Washington, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mina Chung, MD
- Email: CHUNGM@ccf.org
- Phone: 2164442290
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.