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Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Stroke: Therapeutic Approaches

  • Sleep (M Thorpy, M Billiard, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The majority of stroke patients have clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Also, recent evidence demonstrates that OSA serves as an independent risk factor for stroke. Treatment of OSA following stroke is associated with neurologic and functional improvements, as well as long-term reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Identification of stroke patients at risk of OSA and subsequent diagnosis and treatment is essential in stroke recovery and reducing recurrent stroke risk. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the standard modality of treating OSA, is highly effective, but is often inadequately tolerated by stroke patients. Education and medical provider support are essential in establishing CPAP use in this population. However, in cases where CPAP therapy is not feasible, it is important for clinicians to be familiar with alternative modalities in treating OSA.

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Conflict of Interest

Melissa C. Lipford declares that she has no conflict of interest. Kannan Ramar declares that he has no conflict of interest. John G. Park received financial compensation for presenting at a Sleep Medicine board review course for the American Physician Institute.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Melissa C. Lipford

  2. Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Melissa C. Lipford, John G. Park & Kannan Ramar

  3. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st street SW, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA

    John G. Park & Kannan Ramar

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  1. Melissa C. Lipford
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  2. John G. Park
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Correspondence to Kannan Ramar.

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Lipford, M.C., Park, J.G. & Ramar, K. Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Stroke: Therapeutic Approaches. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 14, 431 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-013-0431-7

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