Idiopathic Central Sleep Apnea: A Case Report

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is defined as cessation of breathing in the absence of ventilatory drive for at least 10 seconds. Idiopathic central sleep apnea (ICSA) is a rare disorder with unclear etiology, and diagnosis is made upon exclusion of other causes. Many of the patients with ICSA do not receive appropriate treatment. Case Report: Here, we report a 38-year-old man with history of daily hypersomnolence and decreased concentration since two years before referring to our center. After comprehensive medical approach for CSA, he was diagnosed as ICSA. The patient did not respond and did not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Zolpidem was prescribed for the patient, and he had dramatic improvement of symptoms. ICSA is a rare sleep breathing disorder presenting with CSA, and may be misdiagnosed with other causes of CSA in the cases of non-appropriate medical evaluation. However, there is no definite treatment.