Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: This review will trace the elements of neurostimulation for obstructive sleep apnea and details on its implementation, efficacy and safety, immediate clinical outcomes, and future prospects.

Methods: The literature on upper airway neurostimulation was surveyed from July, 2013, to July 2019, with a focus on the components of devices, evidence for clinical utility, and adverse events.

Results: Current technology is focused on the hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS). The most long-term experience is with the Inspire Medical System (Maple Grove, MN USA) which has both FDA and European regulatory approval. Given the inclusion criteria (BMI <35, ideally <32), AHI 15-65/h, and a favorable anterior-posterior velopharyngeal collapse pattern on DISE), across many centers ~65% of patients who are intolerant to primary therapy achieve clinical success (AHI <20/h with a reduction of <50% in AHI), and more have symptomatic relief. Adverse events are generally mild, often self-limited, with occasional need for uncomplicated surgical adjustments or replacement of the implantable generator. Three other devices are in various phases of development, each with a differences in nerve electrodes, implantable components, power sources, proprietary programming, and activation patterns.

Conclusions: HNS is not considered a first-line treatment option. HNS therapy, however, should be considered as one alternative therapeutic option for patients meeting the inclusion criteria when more traditional therapeutic options have been considered.