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A Brief Review of Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Essentials of Sleep Medicine

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

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Abstract

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the mainstay treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The upper airway in patients with OSA becomes partially or completely obstructed by an imbalance between collapsing and dilating forces. There is a critical closing pressure demonstrated by equalization of extraluminal and intraluminal pressure of the pharyngeal airway, the segment of the airway prone to collapse, at which collapse of the lumen will occur obstructing the airway. CPAP acts as a pneumatic splint for the upper airway limiting or preventing obstruction. CPAP as therapy for OSA in patients with cardiovascular disorders has been associated with improved outcomes in observational studies, but not in most randomized controlled trials. The uncertainties surrounding the suspected benefit of CPAP use necessitate further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory Sleep Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Scott Hoff & Nancy Collop

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  1. Scott Hoff
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  2. Nancy Collop
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Correspondence to Nancy Collop .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine Wayne State University School of Medicine, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA

    M. Safwan Badr

  2. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Jennifer L. Martin

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Hoff, S., Collop, N. (2022). A Brief Review of Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In: Badr, M.S., Martin, J.L. (eds) Essentials of Sleep Medicine. Respiratory Medicine. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93739-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93739-3_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-93738-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-93739-3

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