Anderson Regional Sleep Disorders Center is now offering Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy, a breakthrough treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for those who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. Depending on the degree of severity, OSA can be a potentially life-threatening condition. Recent research shows that a person with poorly managed sleep apnea is at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, weight gain, high blood pressure and heart failure. While CPAP is often successful, studies show that roughly half of all patients that start CPAP eventually become non-compliant.

“Until now, Mississippi’s only provider of Inspire therapy was University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson,” said John G. Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System. Patients were traveling to Jackson or possibly Birmingham to receive treatment that is now available close to home. We are committed to continue providing our patients with new treatment options that improve their quality of life.”

Inspire therapy is the first implantable device for treating OSA. In contrast to CPAP, Inspire therapy works from inside the body and with a patient’s natural breathing process. The implantable system includes a small generator, a sensing lead and a stimulation lead. Turned on by a handheld remote, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep. For more information on how Inspire therapy works, please visit www.inspiresleep.com.

 

“In our practice we see many patients who have stopped using or are unable to tolerate CPAP,” said Dr. Kary Whitehead, Sleep Medicine Specialist at Anderson Regional Sleep Disorders Center. “Inspire therapy represents a significant advance in sleep apnea treatment. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events and also has a high level of patient satisfaction and therapy adherence. We are excited to now offer this promising therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”

 

Dr. Whitehead is working closely with Dr. Cody Aull, Otolaryngologist at Anderson Ear, Nose and Throat Center, who implants the Inspire therapy neurostimulator in an outpatient setting at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

 

In the STAR (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction) trial, a pivotal clinical trial that tested the safety and efficacy of Inspire therapy, patients experienced a significant reduction in sleep apnea events and significant improvement in quality of life measures. These results were published in the January 9, 2014 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

 

Patients who are interested in learning more should call 601-553-6366 to set up an evaluation with Dr. Whitehead at Anderson Regional Sleep Disorders Center.

 

As the most comprehensive health system in East Mississippi and West Alabama, Anderson Regional Health System is the established leader in offering premier medical services. With two hospitals and a network of clinics, Anderson’s healthcare professionals are committed to the mission of providing a heritage of healing and improving life for the people they serve.