Patients with complex sleep apnea may benefit from ResMed's new VPAP™ Adapt SV

September 25, 2006

Recent research has shown that a subset of sleep apnea patients experience a syndrome known as complex sleep apnea.¹ Complex sleep apnea is a form of sleep-disordered breathing in which central apneas persist or emerge during attempts to treat obstructive sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel device. Consequently, patients with complex sleep apnea cannot be treated effectively with CPAP or bilevel devices.

Obstructive vs. central sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can be divided into two categories: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person's airflow is restricted due to the narrowing of their upper airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused by the temporary absence of a signal from the brain's respiratory center. It is not uncommon for patients to experience mixed sleep apnea, which consists of both central and obstructive components. On the other hand, complex sleep apnea consists of all or predominantly obstructive apneas which convert to all or predominantly central apneas when treated with a CPAP or bilevel device. Patients with complex sleep apnea cannot be adequately treated with a CPAP or bilevel device. The clinical consequences are residual symptoms (fatigue, sleepiness, depressed mood) and intolerance to therapy.

VPAP Adapt SV is effective treatment where other therapies have failed

ResMed's new VPAP Adapt SV is the only device cleared for the treatment of central sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea and periodic breathing in hospital or homecare environments. The VPAP Adapt SV uses adaptive servo ventilation to learn the patient's breathing pattern and then delivers the pressure they need on a breath-by-breath basis.

Since the release of the VPAP Adapt SV, physicians have had positive results with the new therapy. "We've had patients continue to have high AHI with central events, despite our best efforts to titrate with CPAP and bilevel. With these complex patients, VPAP Adapt SV effectively normalizes breathing where the other therapies have failed. It makes our lives easier because our patients' lives are improved. I'm very impressed with it," stated Dr. Bruce Corser of Sleep Management Institute.

Patients have also reported success with the new product. Jerry R., a 65 year old patient with complex sleep apnea, said "I was skeptical the therapy would be effective, but after seeing the results, I'm now an evangelist for VPAP Adapt SV."

For more information about VPAP Adapt SV, visit http://www.resmed.com/SimplyAmazing.

¹ Morgenthaler et al