Respiratory failure after percutaneous cordotomy.

A 33-year-old woman who had Ondine's curse after high cervical cordotomy for relief of chronic pain maintained adequate ventilation while awake but became apneic as she progressed from light sleep toward stages of deep sleep. After 14 months of successful nocturnal ventilatory support, she died suddenly. Central sleep apnea is common after cervical cordotomy and will usually resolve after several weeks, but can be permanent. Diaphragmatic pacing and mechanical ventilation can be offered for long-term ventilatory support.