A Potential Novel Mechanism for Vagus Nerve Stimulator-Related Central Sleep Apnea
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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

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Published on: January 19, 2024
Inga C Forde1, Meghna P Mansukhani2, Bhanu Prakash Kolla3
1Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. forde.inga@mayo.edu.
Abstract:
The treatment of epilepsy with vagus nerve stimulation can inadvertently cause obstructive and central sleep apnea (CSA). The mechanism for CSA seen in patients with a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is not fully known. We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl in whom VNS activation induced tachypnea and post-hyperventilation central apnea. Following adjustment of VNS settings, the post-hyperventilation CSA resolved. Polysomnography may assist with management when patients with epilepsy develop sleep disruption after VNS placement.
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