ResMed (NYSE: RMD) announced data from two studies looking at sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in chronic heart failure at the 64th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology in San Diego.
"The data we are presenting are important because they point toward a connection between breathing disorders in sleep, like sleep apnea, and chronic heart failure," said ResMed Chief Medical Officer, Dr Glenn Richards.
He continued, "We look forward to learning the results of our landmark clinical study called SERVE-HF, that examines whether addressing sleep-disordered breathing in people with chronic heart failure improves survival."
Final data from nearly 7,000 patients in a German registry of more than 10,000 patients with stable chronic heart failure showed that SDB was present in 46 per cent of people.
It showed that prevalence of SDB increased rapidly with age. Other risk factors include male gender, more severe heart failure, atrial fibrillation and increased weight.
Data from an American study suggests that treatment of SDB may reduce hospital admission rates in patients with chronic heart failure.
Patients compliant with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy had significantly reduced hospital visits in the 6 months after starting therapy compared to the 6 months before therapy.
A comparable group who were not compliant with PAP therapy had no change in frequency of hospital visits.