Vnitr Lek 2026, 72(5):284-299 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2026.055

Device-based diagnostics in Czech sleep medicine

Tomáš Krejčí1, Samuel Genzor2, Jaromír Vachutka1
1 Ústav lékařské biofyziky, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci
2 Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci a Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc

This article reviews the historical development and current state of sleep medicine in the Czech Republic from the perspective of device-based diagnostics. It briefly introduces methods used across all six major groups of sleep disorders and focuses in detail on sleep-related breathing disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The historical four-level classification of diagnostic methods is discussed, ranging from laboratory polysomnography (PSG), which remains the reference method, through home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) to simple screening. The article also provides a detailed technical overview of diagnostic systems used in the Czech Republic, including Alice, Porti/Scala, Nox and Bittium systems, and discusses the characteristics of sensors used for airflow, respiratory effort and oxygen saturation measurements. The increasing role of home diagnostics and criteria for selecting an appropriate device with regard to the clinical objective, measurement validity and cost-effectiveness are described.

Keywords: diagnostic devices, obstructive sleep apnea, polygraphy, polysomnography, sleep laboratory, sleep medicine, AASM standards.

Accepted: August 20, 2026; Published: August 27, 2026  Show citation

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Krejčí T, Genzor S, Vachutka J. Device-based diagnostics in Czech sleep medicine. Vnitr Lek. 2026;72(5):284-299. doi: 10.36290/vnl.2026.055.
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