Titration Pressures in Sleep Apnea Patients Using ThermoSmart® Versus Conventional Humidification

Debate is present concerning the optimal level of humidification for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who need continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Recent evidence has shown that using a heated breathing tube to increase the amount of humidification that can be delivered has decreased patient side effects, increased subjective sleep quality and decreased subjective symptom scores. Anecdotal evidence exists, in the form of clinical observation, when ThermoSmart® technology is utilized during CPAP titration, patients laboratory titrated pressure may in fact prove to be lower. The possibility exists, on a titration night, patients potentially may experience an adverse response to the positive airway pressure which manifests as increased airway resistance and inflammation necessitating higher CPAP pressures to overcome upper airway resistance and flow limitation. Therefore, we hypothesize the delivery of higher levels of humidity might reduce the nasal airway resistance during the titration night, reducing the overall positive airway pressure requirements. The goal is to investigate this phenomenon to find if a reduction in pressure is necessary and if so to what degree. Patients who are titrated on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices with ThermoSmart® technology will have lower titrated pressures than those who are titrated using conventional humidification.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and Female patients over the age of 18
• Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥15
• Patients must have at least 5 hours sleep time on each titration night
• Stable medications for 2 weeks prior to entry to the study and for study inclusion duration including sleep aids

Exclusion criteria

• Receiving or requiring bi-level ventilation
• Use of a full face interface or chin strap
• Previous UPPP surgery or palatal reconstruction
• Recent angina symptoms within 2 weeks of entry
• CHF with EF < 40%
• Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
• Cheyne Stokes respiration
• > 50% Central apneas recorded on diagnostic polysomnogram
• Supplemental oxygen use
• Use of narcotic pain medication
• Hypoxemia as determined by room air pulse oxymetry of less than 89% on room air at rest awake
• Inability to tolerate positive pressure therapy
• Split Night Evaluations