Continuous positive airway pressure titration for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea

Breathing during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by episodes of upper-airway obstruction. These may consist of sequences of total (obstructive apnoeas) or partial (obstructive hypopnoeas) occlusion, with short intervals with intermittent heavy snoring and hyperventilation, during which an arousal is usually recognised.1 Partial upper-airway obstruction may also be associated with a more stable breathing pattern, usually - but not always - associated with continuous snoring, and may lead to some degree of hypoventilation.