Design of the remedē System Therapy (rēST) study: A prospective non-randomized post-market study collecting clinical data on safety and effectiveness of the remedē system for the treatment of central sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a disorder defined by lack of respiratory drive from the brain stem on breathing efforts. There is a lack of established therapies for CSA and most available therapies are limited by poor patient adherence, limited randomized controlled studies, and potentially adverse cardiovascular effects. The remedē System (ZOLL Respicardia, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota) uses transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation to stimulate the diaphragm, thereby restoring a more normal breathing pattern throughout the sleep period.

METHODS

The remedē System Therapy (rēST) Study is a prospective non-randomized multicenter international study evaluating long-term safety and effectiveness of the remedē System in the post-market setting. Up to 500 adult patients with moderate to severe CSA will be enrolled and followed up to 5 years at approximately 50 sites in the United States and Europe. Safety objectives include evaluation of adverse events related to the implant procedure, device or delivered therapy, death, and hospitalizations. Effectiveness endpoints include assessment of changes in sleep-disordered breathing metrics from polysomnograms and home sleep tests, changes in daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and changes in QoL using the PROMIS-29 and Patient Global Assessment questionnaires. The subgroup of patients with heart failure will undergo additional assessments including echocardiography to assess cardiac reverse remodeling, 6-min walk distance, QoL assessment by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and measurement of biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

This will be the largest prospective study evaluating long-term safety and effectiveness of transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation for the treatment of moderate to severe CSA in adult patients.