System and method to modulate phrenic nerve to prevent sleep apnea

A method of preventing an apneic episode, the method comprising:

• implanting a stimulation electrode in a vein of a patient proximate a phrenic nerve;
• monitoring the breathing of the patient including a breathing rate and at least an inspiration phase and an expiration phase of an intrinsic breath;
• obtaining breathing rate data of the patient with a monitoring device;
• determining a breathing rate intervention setpoint;
• determining when the breathing rate exceeds the breathing rate intervention setpoint;
• and
• providing at least one electric pulse to the stimulation electrode for a stimulation period that starts during the inspiration phase to capture the phrenic nerve which affects lung function of the patient such that air is trapped in the lung of the patient, wherein stimulation is continued for a period of time within the stimulation period after airflow has been substantially halted such that lung volume remains substantially constant during the stimulation period which results in a duration of a stimulated breath being extended to maintain carbon dioxide levels within the blood of the patient and maintain a neural respiratory drive to prevent the apneic episode.