Hypoglossal nerve stimulation impact on a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and heart failure

A 75-year-old man with body mass index of 30.5 kg/m² and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 72 events/h was referred for upper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy. Past medical history was significant for cardiovascular disease including congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy with impaired left ventricular function and ejection fraction of 35%. Following evaluation of clinical and polysomnographic data, he was an appropriate candidate for UAS and underwent uncomplicated implantation. Three months postoperatively, polysomnography showed a titrated AHI of 0 events/h. Follow-up cardiac evaluation revealed ejection fraction increase to 47% since implantation. No interval change in medical management or body mass index had occurred. Given the high prevalence of OSA in patients with cardiovascular disease, UAS may become an important adjunct in the comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment of heart failure in patients with OSA. Further clinical studies are required to investigate the impact of UAS on treatment and prognosis of heart disease.