Positive airway pressure therapy for heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening disease and is a growing public health concern. Despite recent advances in pharmacological management for HF, the morbidity and mortality from HF remain high. Therefore, non-pharmacological approaches for HF are being developed. However, most non-pharmacological approaches are invasive, have limited indication and are considered only for advanced HF. Accordingly, the development of less invasive, non-pharmacological approaches that improve outcomes for patients with HF is important. One such approach may include positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. In this review, the role of PAP therapy applied through mask interfaces in the wide spectrum of HF care is discussed.

Keywords: Acute decompensated heart failure; Congestion; Continuous positive airway pressure; Non-invasive positive airway pressure ventilation; Sleep disordered breathing

Core tip: Less-invasive, non-pharmacological approaches may improve outcomes for patients with heart failure, and the role of positive airway pressure therapy is discussed in this review.