Abstract

Introduction . Cheyne-Stokes breathing (CSB) is described by a cyclic variation in breathing with periods of central apneas or hypopneas alternating with periods of hyperpneas in a gradual waxing and waning manner. We describe this rare case of idiopathic central sleep apnea coming in a periodic fashion presenting as CSB pattern without specific causes. Results . A 72-year-old male (body mass index: 21.9 kg/m 2 ) with the complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue for about 2 years. On detailed sleep history patient denied snoring, cataplexy, hypnogogic hallucination, sleep paralysis and sleep attack. No neurological deficit was seen in clinical evaluation. ENT evaluation was normal. Cardiac evaluation showed artrial fibrillation with no cardiac failure. An overnight Polysomnography (PSG) test showed total sleep time of 443 minutes, sleep latency of 19.0 min, and sleep efficiency of 70.0%. Sleep architecture for stage 1 sleep was 31.7%, stage 2 sleep was 52.4%, slow wave sleep was 12.9%, REM sleep was 3.1%. Total arousal index was 21.8/hr. Mean SaO2 was 96.4%, the lowest SaO2 was 82.8%, and SaO2 below 90% was 0.1%. Snoring was not observed and periodic limb movement index was 8.8/hr. PSG also showed cyclic fluctuation in breathing with periods of central apneas; alternating with periods of hyperpneas in a gradual waxing and waning fashion; but cardiac evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain could not find any cause of this sleep-disordered breathing. Conclusion . The pathogenesis and etiology of CSA is still vague. We think that further studies and follow up will be required to determine whether idiopathic central sleep apnea presenting as CSB pattern is the initial indication of certain diseases. So we concluded that this case was an idiopathic central sleep apnea with periodicity; presenting as CSB pattern.

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