Abstract
Educational aims
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To explain that the nocturnal events experienced by patients with OSAHS are caused by an abnormal increase in the collapsibility of the upper airway.
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To show that CPAP is an effective mechanical treatment for preventing upper airway obstruction and, therefore, normalising sleep in OSAHS patients.
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To outline the working principles of CPAP devices and to describe their practical performance.
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To describe the rationale and functioning of auto-adjusting CPAP devices for the treatment of OSAHS patients.
Summary Obstructive apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is very prevalent. It causes a considerable reduction in patients' quality of life and induces important short- and long-term consequences, such as traffic accidents and cardiovascular diseases. The application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by means of a nasal mask is currently the most widespread and effective treatment for OSAHS. The present review article will address the following questions.
• What is the physiological rationale of CPAP?
• What are the principles of CPAP equipment?
• How can we optimise its use?
• What are auto-adjusting CPAP devices and how do they operate?
• To what extent are they useful in the treatment of OSAHS?
- ©ERS 2008
