Auto bi-level with pressure relief during exhalation as a rescue therapy for optimally treated obstructive sleep apnoea patients with poor compliance to continuous positive airways pressure therapy—a pilot study

Background Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) is the accepted therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but compliance is variable. We hypothesised that an auto bi-level device with pressure relief during exhalation (auto bi-level) would treat OSA as well as CPAP and that transitioning non-compliant CPAP patients without modifiable causes of poor compliance to this device would improve compliance and clinical outcomes.