Patients find relief from central sleep apnea with innovative device

Dec 4, 2023 - 03:18 p.m. by Taylor Vessel

Remedē is an implantable, battery-powered device that helps stimulate the phrenic nerve—the nerve in your chest responsible for breathing.

For people dealing with central sleep apnea—often affecting a patient’s cardiovascular health—a new device is available at University of Iowa Health Care’s Heart and Vascular Center.

Implanted during a minimally invasive procedure, the Remedē® System is a battery-powered device that helps stimulate the phrenic nerve—the nerve in your chest responsible for breathing—so that it can send signals to your diaphragm, allowing for regular, continuous breathing.

“This is a great, convenient option for a set of patients who may not benefit from more standard sleep apnea treatment options,” says Paari Dominic, MBBS, MPH, director of cardiac electrophysiology. “And this is just the next step. Our team remains dedicated to pursuing new treatment options to help reduce symptoms and improve cardiovascular health.”

Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is often the result of other serious medical conditions like heart failure or stroke, preventing the brain from sending the right signals to the muscles that control a person’s breathing.

Because of this, standard sleep apnea treatment options, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), are not always recommended for patients with central sleep apnea.

Paari Dominic, MBBS, MPH, director of cardiac electrophysiology, says devices like Remedē fit within the department’s mission to find innovate ways to improve convenience and quality of life.