Alternative Approaches to Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea

Enhanced or dysregulated respiratory chemoreflexes have a profound impact on sleepbreathing and the polygraphic patterns that emerge. There is an increasing array of treatment options, both on-label and off-label, singly or in combination, that can be used to enhance system stability. Three major components need to be adequately phenotyped and targeted: upper airway, respiratory control, and sleep fragmentation/ consolidation. Alternative options for treating central sleep apnea syndromes need to be tested in randomized prospective trials to determine their optimal roles in disease management. Until then, case-by-case trials of effectiveness will be required. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.