Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyHypoglossal Nerve Stimulation and Heart Rate Variability: Analysis of STAR Trial Responders.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation represents a novel therapy for the treatment of moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea; nonetheless, its cardiovascular effects are not known. We examine the effects of hypoglossal nerve stimulation on heart rate variability, a measure of autonomic function. ⋯ Hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy appears to reduce heart rate variability during sleep. This reduction was not affected by a 1-week withdrawal period. Larger prospective studies are required to better understand the effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation on autonomic dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea.