Central Apnea
A breathing pause caused by the brain temporarily failing to send signals to the respiratory muscles. Unlike obstructive apnea, the airway remains open.
What Is Central Apnea?
Central apnea occurs when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the respiratory muscles, causing a pause in breathing. Unlike obstructive apnea where the airway physically collapses, the airway remains open during a central event but no effort is made to breathe. Central apneas typically last 10 to 30 seconds.
Central apneas can occur naturally in small numbers (especially during sleep stage transitions), but frequent central events may indicate conditions such as heart failure, stroke, opioid use, or high-altitude exposure. Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea can appear when PAP therapy successfully treats obstructive events, unmasking an underlying central breathing pattern.
Central apneas often occur in a periodic pattern (Cheyne-Stokes respiration) with a waxing-waning breathing cycle of 30 to 100 seconds. This pattern is detected by AirwayLab's Periodicity Index. Standard CPAP cannot treat central apnea; ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) or BiPAP ST modes with backup rates are typically used.
How AirwayLab Measures This
AirwayLab cannot directly detect central apneas from flow waveform data because central events produce minimal or no flow signal (they look like gaps rather than waveform distortions). However, the WAT engine's Periodicity Index can detect the cyclical breathing pattern characteristic of periodic breathing associated with central events.
Try it with your dataFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between central and obstructive apnea?
In obstructive apnea, the airway physically collapses despite continued breathing effort. In central apnea, the brain temporarily stops sending signals to breathe, so there is no breathing effort at all. PAP machines report both types separately.
Can CPAP cause central apneas?
Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea can appear when CPAP successfully treats obstructive events. The central events may have been present all along but masked by the obstructive component, or the positive pressure may alter the brain's CO2 sensitivity. If central events persist, your clinician may consider ASV or BiPAP with a backup rate.
Related Terms
Medical Disclaimer
AirwayLab is not a medical device and is not FDA-cleared or CE-marked. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The analysis results should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare providers regarding your sleep therapy and any changes to PAP settings.