nCPAP effectively reduces hypoxia among obese patients undergoing sedated endoscopy: Study

A multivariable logistic regression analysis identified patient age as a significant independent predictor of desaturation, with older patients more likely to experience hypoxia. Also, those receiving oxygen via nasal cannula were more than five times as likely to desaturate as those using nCPAP (odds ratio: 5.4; 95% confidence interval: 2.0 – 16.8).

Despite similar demographics between the two groups (average age 51 years, average BMI 42.7 kg/m², and a male-to-female ratio of 71:87), the improved outcomes with nCPAP suggest its potential to fill a critical gap in clinical care. Procedural success, patient tolerance, and adverse event rates were not significantly different between the two groups, which reinforced the safety and feasibility of nCPAP in this setting.

Overall, these findings highlight a practical and effective solution to a common and serious issue in obese patients undergoing sedation. Given the magnitude of the benefit and the simplicity of implementation, nCPAP should be strongly considered as standard practice for this population. Further research is encouraged to explore the use of nCPAP in other sedated procedures involving high-risk patients.

Source:

Hünerbein, K., Sprenger, C., Zöllner, C., de Heer, J., von Wulffen, M., Zimmermann, K., Rösch, T., & Issleib, M. (2025). Nasal CPAP to reduce hypoxia in patients with obesity undergoing sedated upper GI endoscopy: A prospective randomized trial. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: The Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2025.06.015