What method of CPAP titration should be used?
In its decision memo, CMS cites both titration in conventional settings and the use of auto PAP. Traditionally, “technicians titrate CPAP pressures via a therapeutic mask pressure (ie, the minimum pressure that eliminates abnormal breathing) as determined by manual titration over the course of a night in a sleep laboratory.” CMS further cites the case for the use of auto PAP, “Alternatively, automatic computer-controlled CPAP titration (auto CPAP) can be performed over one or several nights … .” The memo further states that auto PAP can be attended or unattended, in a sleep laboratory or a home setting. This is to set the stage for unattended home use, but leaves the door open for lab-based titrations as well. • What is the definition of “benefit from CPAP”? Subscribe to Sleep Report to receive recent research findings delivered to your e-mail inbox. CMS is proposing that “due to the evidence demonstrating that no combination of diagnostic procedures adequately identifies all of thos
