LOS GATOS, Calif. (PRWEB)
April 01, 2021

Siesta Medical, Inc. (Private), a leading provider of minimally invasive implants and tools for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), announced the online publication of a recent study of the AIRLIFT procedure titled “Hyoid Suspension With UPPP for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal.

This multicenter study evaluated the safety and efficacy of AIRLIFT hyoid suspension when combined with procedures for the palate on 39 patients treated at 3 centers. The median apnea hypopnea index (AHI) reduction was 74% while the AHI was reduced from 49.9 preoperatively to 15.4 after treatment. All patients saw a positive drop in their AHI assessment and 84% of patients with severe sleep apnea, the riskiest level of sleep apnea, improved to mild or moderate sleep apnea. In addition, the efficacy of the procedure appeared to independent of BMI, even in very high BMI patients.

AIRLIFT® hyoid suspension, which does not have indication limitations for airway anatomy, body mass index, or obstructive sleep apnea severity, is used to treat airway obstructions primarily in the hypopharynx. With thousands of patients treated, AIRLIFT hyoid suspension provides immediate therapy, treats the entire hypopharynx and works without the need for ongoing patient compliance.

Dr. Jason Van Tassel with Washington Hospital in Fremont, CA, a specialist in the surgical treatment of sleep apnea commented, “AIRLIFT hyoid suspension is one of my primary procedures and this study confirms my own long experience in performing sleep surgery. You can improve the airway for a wide range of sleep apnea sufferers that are unable to use CPAP.”

Dr. Ryan Nord, Director of Sleep Surgery with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, noted, “OSA patients have long sought alternatives to CPAP when that therapy does not work for them. I am happy to be working in sleep surgery at a time when our treatments are getting recognized for the meaningful impact they have for patients. The AIRLIFT is part of my approach. It’s simple, reproducible and effective.”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a major health problem in the United States. An estimated 23 million people in United States have moderate to severe sleep apnea (Harvard Medical School, The Price of Fatigue), which is characterized by frequent awakening during sleep, heavy snoring and daytime sleepiness. Left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and heart failure. Sleep apnea remains largely under diagnosed and treated.

Though currently less common than continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, sleep surgery provides an important and effective alternative for those patients having difficulty with CPAP. Surgical therapy reduces morbidity and risk of death associated with untreated sleep apnea (Weaver, Sleep 2004;27:A208, Marti, Eur Resp J 2002;20:1511-18). There are over 1 million new diagnoses of sleep apnea in the U.S. each year and over 100,000 surgical procedures for sleep apnea performed annually.

About Siesta Medical

Siesta Medical is a privately held, medical device company providing minimally invasive implants and tools for obstructive sleep apnea.

For more information about Siesta Medical please visit our website at http://www.siestamedical.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations and from any forward-looking statements made by the company.

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