FAST FACTS: THE ABCS OF POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE
May 22, 2016 by Sound Sleep Health
APAP
- Stands for “automatic positive airway pressure”
- Delivers 1 single stream of pressurized air; however it delivers this stream inside a preset range of pressures as predetermined by the physician
- Also referred to as Auto-CPAP
- APAP is commonly prescribed
- APAP is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
BiPAP
- Stands for “bilevel positive airway pressure”
- Delivers 2 streams of pressurized air: the higher pressure delivered is for the user’s inhalation, while a lighter pressure is delivered to the user during exhalation
- Also referred to as BPAP
- BiPAP is expensive and, therefore, less commonly prescribed
- BiPAP is used mainly to treat central sleep apnea (CA) or complex sleep apnea (CSA), though it may be used for pressure-sensitive patients with OSA
CPAP
- Stands for “continuous positive airway pressure”
- Delivers 1 single stream of pressurized air
- CPAP is the most common prescription for PAP
- CPAP is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea
ASV
- Stands for “adaptive servo ventilation”
- Delivers air pressure based on sophisticated algorithms meant to match the complex breathing needs of its user
- ASV is very expensive and prescribed for very special needs patients
- ASV is used to treat complex sleep breathing disorders that occur in addition to other chronic medical problems
