Ventricular assist devices and sleep-disordered breathing

Abstract

Congestive heart failure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, and left ventricular assist devices have revolutionized treatment of end-stage heart failure. Given that sleep apnea results in significant morbidity in these patients with advanced heart failure, practicing sleep physicians need to have an understanding of left ventricular assist devices. In this review, we summarize what is known about ventricular assist devices as they relate to sleep medicine.

Keywords: Central sleep apnea; Complex sleep apnea; Congestive heart failure; Obstructive sleep apnea; Sleep-disordered breathing; Ventricular assist device.