Use of Adaptive Servo-ventilation (ASV) for People With Heart Failure and Trouble Sleeping.

www.thoracic.org C LI P A N D C O P Y What is Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)? SDB is a general term used to describe various different abnormalities in breathing pattern which occur during sleep, including obstructive and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder which affects roughly 10% of the US population and approximately 1/3 of people with congestive heart failure. OSA patients have reductions or stoppages in airflow despite ongoing respiratory efforts. In contrast, central sleep apnea (CSA) patients have reductions or stoppages in airflow without respiratory effort. Cheyne Stokes respirations (CSR) is a special form of CSA which is seen in roughly 1/3 people with congestive heart failure. OSA and CSA sometime occur in the same individuals either at different times of the night or from one night to the next. Thus, the term SDB is used to refer to both OSA and CSA together since the distinction is sometimes hard to make.