Portable CPAP in Excessive Central Airway Collapse (ECAC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Portable CPAP in Excessive Central Airway Collapse (ECAC)
IRAS ID
324414
Contact name
Dariusz Wozniak
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Papworth Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study will investigate the role of a portable Continues Positive Airway Pressure device (pCPAP) in management of patients with symptomatic Excessive Central Airway Collapse (ECAC). ECAC is characterised by complete or partial collapse of central airways on exhalation. In some cases, this can cause persistent breathlessness and severely limited exercise capacity.
Current treatment options for ECAC are very limited. Standard assistive breathing devices such as CPAP machines are sometimes used to relieve symptoms at night or at rest. This does not address breathlessness during activity which drives accumulation of disability over time.
The main aims of this project are to assess the effect of a portable CPAP (pCPAP) device on exercise capacity and symptoms and evaluate the feasibility of wearing pCPAP at home during routine activities. Lightweight battery-powered portable CPAP devices have been recently developed to facilitate travel to remote areas by people with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). They can be worn by patients with ECAC during physical activity to prevent airway collapse but their potential benefits have not been evaluated in clinical trials.
For this study we will recruit 20 patients with ECAC who will attend for two study visits 4-6 weeks apart in a single centre (The Royal Papworth Hospital). The primary outcome measure will be a shuttle walk test performed repeatedly with and without pCPAP. Secondary outcomes will include assessment of activity level, breathlessness, quality of life ,pCPAP usage and its acceptability. We will evaluate a pragmatic way of CPAP titration and application. We will also analyse already acquired diagnostic baseline computed tomography (CT) scans with a novel Functional Respiratory Imaging (FRI) tool. This software tool will enable retrospective reflections on the changes occurring within the lungs for patients with ECAC. This may help identify predictive features of potential pCPAP responders and inform future use.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0111
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion