Greenville Reporter

ECU Health has introduced the remedē System, a new FDA-approved treatment for adult patients suffering from Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). This condition is characterized by an abnormal breathing pattern during sleep, where the brain fails to signal the diaphragm to breathe. CSA can lead to symptoms such as chronic fatigue and irritability, and may exacerbate heart arrhythmias and congestive heart failure.

The remedē System is implanted beneath the collarbone, with leads placed near the phrenic nerve. It delivers mild electric impulses to stimulate this nerve, prompting diaphragm contraction in cases where brain signals are absent. Dr. John Catanzaro of East Carolina Heart Institute highlights its importance: “There’s a very low risk with this treatment, and phrenic nerve stimulation is a contemporary option for patients with CSA who haven’t responded well to other therapies.”

Eligible patients at ECU Health undergo screening at their Sleep Center before receiving the implant. The surgical team ensures device functionality post-implantation, after which therapy administration is managed by the Sleep Center team.

The initiative involved collaboration among various professionals including Dr. Zia Rehman of the Sleep Center, cardiologist Dr. Rajasekhar Nekkanti, and psychology expert Dr. Sam Sears from ECU's departments of psychology and cardiovascular sciences.

ECU Health distinguishes itself as one of only two locations in North Carolina offering this procedure outside Winston-Salem. This development aligns with their mission to improve patient quality of life while reducing hospitalizations. Dr. Rehman stated, “We want ECU Health to be a leader in health care for the state of North Carolina and beyond.”

The program aims to treat 12-15 patients in its first year, expanding to 35-40 annually thereafter.