Strategies for Controlling Unintentional Leakage in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Oral unintentional leak is a common side effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. Management of oral unintentional leakage has not been standardized and the effectiveness of potential approaches have not been studied in controlled studies. Higher levels of CPAP are associated with higher leak. In the present study, a sequential approach to control excessive unintentional leak will be tested. In study A, the reduction of therapeutic CPAP level will be tested. In study B, oronasal CPAP will be compared to nasal CPAP with a chinstrap.
• Diagnosis of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea;
• Use of CPAP with a nasal mask;
• 95th percentile of unintentional leak from the last 7 days above 24 l/min or at least 4 sudden leak line drop events