Clinical Feasibility of an Auto-Adjusting Bi-Level PAP Device for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Introduction: Bi-Level positive airway pressure (BPAP) is an effective alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who could not tolerate CPAP. An automatically titrating BPAP device has recently been developed, BPAP Auto (R) with BiFlex (TM) (BPAPauto). The primary aim of this study was to examine the performance of this new device during attended polysomnography (PSG). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case series study. Participants with OSA currently using CPAP or BPAP therapy were recruited and undergo in-lab PSG study with BPAPauto. Results: A total of 27 participants met the criteria, enrolled the study. All participants received BPAPauto therapy during an attended PSG. Sleep and respiratory data were examined. The mean apnea hypopnea index was found 2.2 +/- 2.5 events/hour. SaO(2) (oxygen saturation) was 94.0%+/- 1.8. The mean inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) abolish respiratory events was 14.1 +/- 3.4 cmH(2)O and that of expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) was 10.7 +/- 3.9 cmH(2)O. Conclusions: BPAPauto is able to establish an appropriate Bi-Level PAP and control oxygen saturation without excessive disruption of sleep. Further studies using randomized control design are needed to examine potential roles and advantages of BPAPauto for treatment of OSA.