Can a sleep machine keep your heart in rhythm?

NCT ID NCT04519489

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether using a positive airway pressure (PAP) machine at night can reduce the return of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) in people who also have obstructive sleep apnea. About 129 participants with both conditions were assigned to receive either standard heart care plus PAP therapy or standard care alone. The goal was to see if treating sleep apnea helps keep the heart in a normal rhythm after procedures like ablation or medication.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy device (Philips DreamStation) with telemonitoring (Philips EncoreAnywhere)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that treating sleep apnea with PAP therapy helps prevent atrial fibrillation from coming back after standard heart rhythm treatments.

What could go wrong

The study was terminated early, so results may be incomplete. It is also unclear how well patients will stick to nightly PAP therapy, which is crucial for effectiveness.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation obstructive sleep apnea syndrome Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

  • Peking University First Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China