Positive Airway Pressure in Sleep Disordered Breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetative obstruction of the upper airway. Positive airway pressure has evolved as the preferred therapeutic modality for OSA. PAP can be used successfully to treat both OSA and central sleep apnea (CSA). PAP usage affects a variety of medical diseases. Proper titration and attention to compliance is paramount in proper usage of PAP. Finally, auto-titrating devices and adaptive servo ventilation may be used to treat and possibly diagnose sleep disorder breathing and the later may have role in treating complex sleep apnea.