Importance

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Abstract

An implantable cardiac device is programmed to detect an episode of sleep apnea, measure the duration of the episode, and store this information in memory. When multiple episodes are recorded, the device computes statistics on the apnea durations, such as average apnea duration and total apnea duration for a preselected time period (e.g., 8-hour rest period, 24-hour day, etc.). The implantable cardiac device may further be used to administer pacing therapy in response to detecting sleep apnea. Under the control of a physician, the implantable device may be programmed to administer different types of responsive therapies to evaluate whether certain therapies are more effective at treating apnea than others. For instance, a pacing therapy that results in lowering the average apnea duration or total apnea duration may be preferred over other pacing therapies that do not achieve such results.

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