Pneumologie
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Central sleep apnoea, especially Cheyne-Stokes respiration, is found in 45 to 66% of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) in functional classes NYHA II to IV. Cheyne-Stokes breathing cycles are characterised by central apnoeas, followed by a crescendo--like increase of tidal volume into hyperventilation and a subsequent decline of tidal volume, ending in another central apnoea. Cheyne-Stokes respiration has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor for patients with CHF. ⋯ The feedback regulation of breathing might be less dampened since carbon dioxide levels are reduced in these patients. Treatment includes nCPAP, but in many cases this is poorly tolerated in patients with central sleep apnoea. Future approaches to Cheyne-Stokes respiration might focus on improving ventilatory pattern and pharmacological manipulation of carbon dioxide receptor susceptibility.