Study: Respicardia neurostim implant shows promise in treating central sleep apnea

An implanted neurostimulator developed by Respicardia has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of central sleep apnea without serious side effects, according to a new study from the Ohio State University. Data from the study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Rome and was published today in The Lancet. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to control breathing during sleep, unlike the more common obstructive sleep apnea which consists of a partially collapsed airway which causes pauses in breathing. “CSA is a serious concern because it affects about a third of people with heart failure and it’s known to make the condition worse. Currently, we don’t have good treatments available. Positive airway pressure devices have been used, but many patients don’t tolerate them well and a recent study showed them to be harmful,” co-lead author Dr. William Abraham of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center said in a press release. The 151-patient, 31-hospital study aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of a transvenous phrenic nerve stimulator which is designed to send regular signals to get the diaphragm to breathe during sleep. At 6-months, the number of CSA events per hour were reduced by 50% or more for 51% of the members in the treatment group, according to the report. Only 8 members in the control group achieved the same reduction. Improvements were also noted in reducing time spent with low blood oxygen...
Source: Mass Device - Category: Medical Equipment Authors: Tags: Clinical Trials Implants Neuromodulation/Neurostimulation Respiratory Respicardia Source Type: news