Successful screening of sleep-disordered breathing using a pacemaker-based algorithm in Japan.

•Some pacemakers measure respiratory disturbance index with thoracic impedance sensor.•Pacemaker-detected sleep apnea significantly correlates with polysomnography diagnosis.•The correlation was better for apnea dominant group than hypopnea dominant group.•Cut-off value of respiratory disturbance index was 22 to detect severe sleep apnea.•Pacemaker is useful for screening of sleep apnea in Japanese individuals.