Abstract

Abstract Introduction To assess positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence and efficacy, tracking systems have been developed to monitor hours of CPAP use, mask leak, and residual apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) while patients are on treatment. No formal guidelines however have been developed on how to interpret and utilize this information. We looked at treatment outcomes after an in-laboratory sleep study reevaluation was made based on clinical symptoms and the residual AHI. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients evaluated with an in-laboratory polysomnogram (PSG) based on a clinical concern for inadequately treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the residual AHI obtained from the PAP tracking system. We documented the outcomes of the repeat study and follow-up AHI after the new intervention (if recommended). We excluded patients non-adherent to PAP. Results Nine patients were identified between January 2015 and 2020 at the McGovern Medical School Outpatient Sleep Clinic. All nine patients were male with an average age of 69.2 years (range 44–84). The average AHI on the diagnostic study (CMS criteria) was 37.1 events/hour (range 17.4–67.1). The average residual AHI prompting reevaluation was 9 events/hour (median 15.9). All patients had a change in treatment based on recommendations made after their sleep study. The clinical suspicion for central events on the tracking system was confirmed on PSG on three patients who were subsequently switched to adaptive servo-ventilation. Two patients were found to have central events without a previous suspicion for central events. Four were prescribed a higher pressure or BPAP for suspected untreated OSA confirmed on the repeat PSG. All of the patients had a decreased residual AHI (average 6.3 events/hour) after treatment changes were made. Conclusion Reevaluation with a PSG after concerns of the residual AHI led to a change in diagnosis (complex sleep apnea) or the need for higher treatment pressures in our cohort. This lead to the optimization of therapy and a decrease in AHI on the tracking system post-intervention, hence justifying the repeat PSG. Exact guidelines however need to be set to standardize the recommendations with a potential cut-off residual AHI after which a repeat PSG is the standard. Support (if any):

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