ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Automatic continuous positive airway pressure (automatic CPAP, APAP) is an effective treatment option in the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The differentiation of obstructive and central respiratory events is crucial in adjusting the optimal pressure in this treatment mode. In this pilot study we evaluated a new automatic CPAP algorithm in OSAS patients. METHODS: 14 patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome were enrolled. After a diagnostic polysomnography, patients were treated for one night with a new APAP device based on flow, snoring, relative minute volume and the obstructive pressure peak signal. RESULTS: The total apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) was 30.0 +/- 21.4/h at baseline and 3.7 +/- 5.3/h with APAP ( P < 0.005). Both obstructive AHI (22.7 +/- 20.5/h at baseline, 1.5 +/- 3.5/h with APAP, P < 0.005) and central AHI (7.3 +/- 4.9/h and 2.2 +/- 2.5/h, respectively, P < 0.01) as well as the arousal index (25.4 +/- 18.1/h and 5.1 +/- 3.8/h, respectively, P < 0.005) were reduced significantly with the new algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: The new algorithm of an automatic CPAP device is effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.