Central Sleep Apnea due to Other Medical Disorders

- Numerous medical disorders can cause central sleep apnea/hypo-ventilation.- This review covers the potential link between brain tumors, Chiari type I malformation, stroke, pain/opioids, endocrine and hormonal disturbances, neurodegenerative disease, neuromuscular disease, and sleep-disordered breathing.- Control of breathing and potential underlying pathophysiology are highlighted.- In several medical conditions a bidirectional relationship likely exists whereby the primary medical disorder may cause or worsen central apnea and vice versa