[Sleep related breathing disorders].

Sleep related breathing disorders are common conditions and the management of patients with sleep apnea is an essential component of routine patient care. Daytime sleepiness is the leading symptom of sleep apnea but not mandatory. Especially patients with cardiac, pulmonary or metabolic comorbidities can benefit from treatment of sleep apnea and those patients should be considered for cardio-respiratory screening even with mild clinical symptoms. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is still the most efficient treatment for sleep apnea and standard treatment for severe forms. With patient education, training and close follow-up a reasonably good compliance can be achieved in adequately selected patients. In mild forms of sleep apnea oral appliances may be efficient and in highly selected lean patients with anatomic risk factors upper airway surgery may be considered. Central sleep apnea, especially Cheyne-Stokes respiration, is highly prevalent in patients with severe cardiac insufficiency. If this disorder persists after cardiac treatment special ventilation modes like adaptive servo ventilation can be used.