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Upper Airway Stimulation for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  • Sleeping and Breathing (J Puchalski, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pulmonology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

We proposed to describe hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy of obstructive sleep apnea emphasizing the evidence for benefit and identifying patient selection factors foretelling of favorable outcomes.

Recent Findings

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation has proven to have lasting efficacy in the treatment of multiple aspects of obstructive sleep apnea including event frequency, nocturnal hypoxemia, sleepiness, patient quality of life, sleep architecture, and treatment adherence. Obstructive sleep apnea severity, pattern of pharyngeal collapse, weight, age, and previous surgery are cited predictors of hypoglossal nerve stimulation outcomes. Advances in science have honed the clinical and historical factors predictive of hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy efficacy.

Summary

Positive airway pressure therapy is the primary therapeutic modality for sleep apnea. However, some subjects given positive airway pressure fail to accept or reliably adhere to treatment. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy can be offered as alternative in such cases. Science has identified clinical features predictive of efficacy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep Disorders Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Carlos Torre, Elie Alam, Alexandre Abreu & Alejandro Chediak

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Carlos Torre & Elie Alam

  3. Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Alexandre Abreu & Alejandro Chediak

Authors
  1. Carlos Torre
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  2. Elie Alam
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  3. Alexandre Abreu
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  4. Alejandro Chediak
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Contributions

All authors met the four criteria for authorship established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors: Carlos Torre, Elie Alam, Alejandro Chediak, and Alexandre Abreu were responsible for the conception, design, and drafting the work, revising the work, and reviewing the manuscript. All authors provided final approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring including the accuracy and/or integrity of the work.

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Correspondence to Carlos Torre.

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Torre, C., Alam, E., Abreu, A. et al. Upper Airway Stimulation for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Curr Pulmonol Rep 10, 40–45 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-020-00264-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-020-00264-w

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