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Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Nov 26, 2014; 6(11): 1175-1191
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i11.1175
Positive airway pressure therapy for heart failure
Takao Kato, Shoko Suda, Takatoshi Kasai
Takao Kato, Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Shoko Suda, Takatoshi Kasai, Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine and Cardio-Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Author contributions: Kato T, Suda S and Kasai T drafted the article; Kasai T revised it critically.
Supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) Grant, Japan, No. 26507010; Grant to the Respiratory Failure Research Group from Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan
Correspondence to: Takatoshi Kasai, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine and Cardio-Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. kasai-t@mx6.nisiq.net
Telephone: +81-3-38133111 Fax: +81-3-56890627
Received: May 30, 2014
Revised: July 16, 2014
Accepted: September 18, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Processing time: 184 Days and 20.9 Hours
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.