[Cheyne-Stokes respiration and cardiovascular risk]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology

Context:

• Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients.
• CSR is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality in HF.
• It correlates with HF severity, characterized by crescendo-decrescendo breathing and central sleep apnea.

Purpose:

• To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and therapeutic strategies for CSR.
• To highlight the elevated cardiovascular risk associated with CSR.
• To discuss the impact of non-invasive ventilatory support on CSR and related symptoms.

Summary:

• CSR is a breathing pattern linked to heart failure severity, involving central sleep apnea and characteristic breathing fluctuations.
• Management includes optimizing HF therapy and employing non-invasive ventilation.
• Ventilatory support has shown benefits in reducing CSR, sympathetic activity, and improving exercise capacity.

Impact:

• Optimizing HF treatment and using non-invasive ventilation can significantly reduce CSR and associated symptoms.
• Current research, including the Serve-HF study, aims to determine if CSR treatment improves patient survival.
• Understanding CSR's cardiovascular implications is crucial for managing high-risk HF patients.