Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Abstract

Noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure is a type of positive airway pressure that allows spontaneous breathing and is functionally equivalent to PEEP. CPAP is used to maintain airway patency in conditions where there is airway collapse, which can occur in cardiogenic pulmonary edema, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Benefits include a reduction in work of breathing and atelectasis and an improvement of ventilation/perfusion matching and oxygenation. Complications are minor and it is not associated with the adverse effects of invasive mechanical ventilation. Compliance in ambulatory and inpatients is still a problem and the effect on cardiovascular risk is controversial.