What CPAP titration accomplishes
Once obstructive sleep apnea has been diagnosed, the next question is at what pressure setting CPAP eliminates events. Too low, and events persist; too high, and the device is uncomfortable. A supervised titration finds the right setting and verifies it across all sleep stages and body positions.
When titration is needed
- Confirmed moderate-to-severe OSA from a prior diagnostic study
- Auto-titrating CPAP (APAP) results that need verification
- Patients with complex respiratory patterns (central or mixed apnea)
- Re-titration when residual events persist or weight has changed significantly
- Switching device type (e.g., from CPAP to BiPAP)
What happens overnight
- Setup with sensors plus a fitted CPAP mask
- Pressure starts low and is incrementally raised under technologist guidance
- Mask fit is assessed and adjusted
- Position changes (supine, lateral) are induced to verify effective pressure across positions
- REM sleep periods are verified to be event-free at the chosen pressure
After titration
- A formal report with the prescribed pressure setting
- Mask style recommendation and ordering coordination through our DME shop
- A first-week and first-month follow-up to address adherence
- Quarterly review with device download analysis
What we do not rely on
We do not rely on home APAP devices alone for initial titration in complex cases. Home auto-titration has a role; for many patients it works well. But for complex respiratory patterns, comorbid central apnea, or initial titration after diagnosis, in-lab supervised titration produces better long-term outcomes.
The right CPAP pressure is the one that is high enough to work and low enough that youll actually wear it.— Seoul Sleep Center CPAP principle