An Atypical Presentation of Central Sleep Apnea in the Context of Bariatric Surgery: A Case Report

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considerably associated with obesity due to increased upper airway tissue deposition, increased upper airway resistance, and reduced airflow. Bariatric surgery is a consideration in those with severe obesity to facilitate weight loss and aid OSA symptoms. However, postoperatively, patients are at an increased risk of developing central apneic events, thereby leading to complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSAS). The management of CompSAS is nuanced and can involve the utilization of continuous airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and/or adaptive sero-ventilation (ASV). Overall, the approach to treating CompSAS remains multifaceted, and numerous considerations should be made in terms of managing post-bariatric surgery patients and their sleep-disordered breathing conditions.