European Respiratory Society and European Sleep Research Society statement on the treatment of central sleep apnoea with adaptive servo-ventilation

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) has been considered effective in controlling various forms of central sleep apnoea (CSA) and also any additional obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) component. However, after the publication of the SERVE-HF study, its use was restricted in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and prevalent CSA, and was withheld from many patients with symptomatic CSA. In the meantime, the devices have been further developed and the algorithms adapted, and there is new evidence from randomised controlled trials and observational studies that makes it necessary to re-evaluate some societies’ statements on the use of ASV, especially in patients with HF and CSA and with the current ASV devices. This short statement is based on a review of the effect of ASV on hard cardiovascular end-points, echocardiographic parameters and exercise capacity as well as on sleep architecture and sleep quality, symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with congestive HF. The expert group concludes that ASV has positive effects on CSA and QoL in various forms of CSA, that current ASV devices have no negative effect on hard cardiovascular end-points, and that ASV has positive effects on patient-reported outcomes. Moreover, it is used by Task Force members after optimal treatment of the underlying disease and after an unsuccessful continuous positive airway pressure trial in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, but also in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction 30–45%. In the latter group, however, initiation is performed in expert centres only. In severe systolic HF, ASV is sometimes evaluated in a palliative therapy concept for severely symptomatic patients with CSA.