STUDY OBJECTIVES The effectiveness of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is based on raising the intramural pressure above a critical collapsing pressure of the oropharyngeal airway. It is currently unclear whether CPAP delivered orally is also capable of raising pressure in the oropharynx above the critical collapse pressure. DESIGN We ...

The development of the positive airway pressure custom mask (TAP-PAP CM) has changed the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The TAP-PAP CM is used in continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) and is fabricated from the impression of the face. This mask is then connected to a post screwed into the mechanism of the TAP3 (Thornton Anterior Positioner) oral appliance. This strapless CPA...

We report a new potentially dangerous complication of nasal continuous positive airway pressure applied for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A middle-aged woman had cerebrospinal fluid leak after using nasal CPAP, with generalized seizures and pneumocephalus. She did fine with conservative therapy for the CSF leak and discontinuation of nasal CPAP.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cognitive impairment, daytime sleepiness, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the primary treatment for this disorder, and recent data provide novel insight regarding optimal CPAP application and compliance. Promising alternate forms of OSA treatment have also been add...

The aim of the study was to investigate psychosocial function before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and establish the determinants and consequences of objective CPAP use. In a prospective, parallel-group study, changes in psychosocial scores were compared with conservative management or CPAP therapy for the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS). Patient/partner c...

Chest 1976; 69:722-28 3 Smith BA, Kirby RR, Cooding JM, Civetta JM. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by face mask. Crit Care Med 1980; 8:483-85 4 Braun NMT. Nocturnal ventilation-a new method. Am Rev Respir Dis 1987; 135:523-24 5 Kerby GR, Mayer LS, Pingelton SK. Nocturnal positive pressure ventilation via nasal mask. Am Rev Respir Dis 1987; 135:738-40 6 Ellis ER, Bye PTP, Bruderer JW...

Mills, Paul J., Brian P. Kennedy, Jose S. Loredo, Joel E. Dimsdale, and Michael G. Ziegler. Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure and oxygen supplementation on norepinephrine kinetics and cardiovascular responses in obstructive sleep apnea. J Appl Physiol 100: 343–348, 2006; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00494.2005.—Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by noradrenergic activ...

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the primary mode of respiratory support in preterm neonates with respiratory distress is associated with reduced needs of surfactant therapy and invasive ventilation, and improved survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia [1,2]. Despite convincing evidence of benefits, use and success rate of CPAP remain variable across different neonatal un...

This study examined the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Thirty-nine patients with sleep apnea were studied. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was obtained before and after patients were randomized to receive either 1 week of CPAP or placebo CPAP (CPAP administered at ineffective pressure). Blood pressu...