Memorial Hospital Pembroke at Memorial Healthcare System has completed the first Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy procedure at its Pembroke Pines facility lead by Eamon J. McLaughlin, M.D. Inspire therapy is an FDA-approved breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Inspire therapy works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation keeps the airway open during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn Inspire on before bed and off when they wake up.
The Inspire system is implanted during a short, outpatient procedure. The system is placed under the skin of the neck and chest through three small incisions. Most patients return home the same day and take over-the-counter pain medications as needed.
The safety and efficacy of Inspire therapy was evaluated during the STAR clinical trial. Five-year STAR trial outcomes show patients using Inspire therapy experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality of life measures. As of May 2018, there have been over 50 peer-reviewed publications on Inspire therapy. These publications show results consistent with those seen in the STAR trial.
