Devices Used for CPAP Delivery

CPAP is a spontaneous mode of ventilation that maintains a constant airway pressure during the inspiratory and expiratory phases. This therapeutic modality is used across the continuum of care from pre-hospital treatment to intensive and acute care units to the home care environment to treat a host of acute and chronic clinical conditions. A variety of devices are currently available for the delivery of CPAP, including oxygen-conserving valved systems, continuous-flow generators, portable demand-flow devices, and mechanical ventilators. The devices used to administer CPAP vary in complexity, performance, monitoring capabilities, ability to provide humidification, and safety features. Regardless of the type of device or system used to deliver CPAP, a system that is unable to meet or exceed the patient's flow demands has the propensity to deliver pressure and oxygen concentrations that are lower than intended or set. If undetected, this can contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Considerations for device selection depend on the setting (eg, pre-hospital, acute care, critical care, home care), length of therapy (ie, short vs long-term), patient safety (eg, alarms, monitoring devices), and comfort. Understanding the science and clinical application of CPAP delivery systems can assist clinicians in a variety of care settings with selecting the type of device that best matches the clinical setting, and thus with optimizing therapeutic effectiveness by maximizing patient comfort, safety and stability of pressure, and F_IO delivery.