Implantable Neurostimulation for Treatment of Sleep Apnea: Present and Future
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Mercy, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 2100, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
Abstract:
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) therapy represents a novel approach and a paradigm shift in the evolution of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment as a hybrid surgically implanted, medically titratable device. Unlike traditional sleep apnea surgical procedures, HNS augments the neuromuscular activity of the pharynx, preserves upper airway structure and function, and has the potential to provide multilevel upper airway improvement with one procedure. The early success of HNS sets the stage for new technology development, further investigation into optimal patient selection and therapy titration, and application to other subsets of the OSA population.
