Short sleep duration in adults with congenital heart disease is associated with epicardial adipose tissue accumulation

Short sleep duration has been linked to an increased risk of cardiometabolic
disorders and adverse outcomes, including hospitalization and mortality, in
patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed the association
between sleep duration and cardiovascular parameters in adults with
congenital heart disease (ACHD). Data were derived from the ongoing
PSYConHEART study on morbidity and mortality factors in ACHD. Sleep
duration, sociodemographic variables, and symptoms of anxiety and
depression were measured using self-report questionnaires. Epicardial adipose
tissue (EAT) was measured by echocardiography, and clinical parameters
regarding the underlying heart condition, including serum levels of N-terminal
pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), were assessed. Patients with a
score < 3 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale
were included (N = 194). Short sleep duration (≤ 6 h/night) was present in 48
patients (25%). Two-way multivariate analysis with sleep duration (≤ 6 h/night
vs. > 6 h/night) and age (≥ 35 vs. < 35 years) as independent variables, corrected
for BMI, sex, and NYHA class, revealed a significant effect of sleep duration and
age on prognostic CVD markers, namely EAT and NT-proBNP. Sleep duration
was associated with CVD markers in older patients only. Sleep duration was
associated with CVD markers only in older patients. In particular, EAT, which has
prognostic value in cardiac diseases, was negatively impacted by short sleep
duration. Sleep problems/disorders are amenable to psychological and
pharmacological interventions. Therefore, assessment of sleep problems/
disorders may be recommended as part of the multimodal treatment of
ACHD patients.