Stroke and treatment with nasal CPAP

Stroke patients present a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and those with OSA have a higher mortality after 1 year and poorer functional outcome compared with others. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the acceptance of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by recent stroke patients with OSA. Recruitment of non-comatose stroke patients with sufficient consciousness for diagnostic evaluation of OSA was performed and they were treated at home with nasal CPAP after hospital calibration and training on the usage of CPAP. Initial evaluation and regular follow-up of the home trial of auto-CPAP was carried out for a duration of 8 weeks. Of 50 initially recruited patients, 32 (100%) responded to the minimum cognitive criteria but seven patients (22%) only used nasal CPAP for 8 weeks. Subject dropout was related to difficulties with CPAP usage as perceived by patient and family members, facial weakness, motor impairment and increase difficulties and discomfort with usage of full-face mask. The majority of OSA stroke patients rejected CPAP treatment. Better education and support of patients and families, and special training sessions in rehabilitation services, will be needed to improve compliance.