Feasibility of automated detection of sleep apnea using implantable pacemakers and defibrillators: a comparison with simultaneous polysomnography recording

Domenico G. Della Rocca, Maria Albanese, Fabio Placidi, Giovanni B. Forle, Luigi Di Biase, Valentina Ribatti, Luca Santini, Francesca Izzi, Lucia Cicchini, Mariolina Lovecchio, Sergio Valsecchi, Carlo Lavalle, Andrea Natale, Nicola B. Mercuri, Andrea Romigi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) have been associated with adverse cardiovascular events and prognosis. Some modern pacemakers (PMK) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are equipped with thoracic impedance monitoring systems which allow detecting fluctuations in tidal volume occurring in SRBD. This study aimed at assessing the accuracy of a novel transthoracic impedance-based PMK/ICD sensor for automatic detection of SRBD. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 31 consecutive patients scheduled for implantation of a PMK or an ICD with sleep respiratory disturbances monitoring capability. The results of unattended home nocturnal recordings expressed as apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) were compared with the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) stored in the cardiac device memory at the time polygraphy was performed. Results: Among the 31 enrolled patients (20 men, mean age 70 ± 8 years), a comparison between the data from polygraphy and cardiac device was feasible in 29 patients. According to the results of home nocturnal recording, a severe SRBD was observed in 7/29 (24.1%) patients. On the basis of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis of RDI values, the optimal RDI cutoff value to identify severe SRBD was 47 episodes/h (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). Bland-Altman agreement analysis of AHI-RDI revealed a bias between measurements of − 11 episodes/h, with limits of agreement − 38 to 15 episodes/h. Conclusions: In the present study, the novel transthoracic impedance-based monitoring system ApneaScanTM appeared effective in screening PMK and ICD patients for SRBD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)327-333
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology
Volume56
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

Keywords

  • Implantable defibrillator
  • Pacemaker
  • Sleep apnea
  • Sleep apnea screening
  • Transthoracic impedance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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