Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is a form of positive airway pressure ventilation in which a flow of air above atmospheric pressure is continuously applied to a person's upper airway through a mask connected to a flexible hose and a pressure-generating device. It is used to prevent upper airway collapse in obstructive sleep apnea and to reduce the work of breathing in conditions such as acute decompensated heart failure, and while it is highly effective for managing sleep apnea, keeping people using it consistently is a persistent challenge, since about eight percent stop after the first night and half stop within a year.