The Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation as a Novel Therapy for Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea—A Literature Review

Saif Mashaqi, Salma Imran Patel, Daniel Combs, Lauren Estep, Sonia Helmick, Joan Machamer and Sairam Parthasarathy
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Saif Mashaqi: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Salma Imran Patel: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Daniel Combs: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Lauren Estep: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Sonia Helmick: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Joan Machamer: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Sairam Parthasarathy: UAHS Center for Sleep & Circadian Sciences and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that affects all age groups and is associated with many co-morbid diseases (especially cardiovascular diseases). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for treating OSA. However, adherence to PAP therapy has been a major challenge with an estimated adherence between 20% and 80%. Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are a good alternative option if used in the appropriate patient. MAD are most effective in mild and moderate OSA but not severe OSA. Surgical options are invasive, not appropriate for severe OSA, and associated with pain and long healing time. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS), or upper airway stimulation (UAS), is a novel therapy in treating moderate and severe degrees of OSA in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. We reviewed the MEDLINE (PubMed) database. The search process yielded 303 articles; 31 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included. We concluded that hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a very effective and novel alternative therapy for moderate and severe OSA in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Adherence to HGNS is superior to CPAP. However, more developments are needed to ensure the highest safety profile.

Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea; hypoglossal nerve stimulation; Inspire; genioglossus; DISE; BMI; complete concentric collapse; children; CPAP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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