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Because many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mandibular advancement appliances, alternatives are needed. One novel approach is an upper-airway stimulation device, in which an electrode is surgically placed on the hypoglossal nerve: When the nerve is stimulated, the tongue protrudes and improves airway patency. Another “sensing lead,” implanted into the chest wall, allows synchronization between the respiratory cycle and hypoglossal nerve stimulation during sleep.
Industry-supported researchers tested this device in 126 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (median apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], 29 events/hour) who were unable to adhere to CPAP. After 12 months with the dev…