Split Night Studies

The gold standard for diagnosing many types of sleep disorders is the diagnostic polysomnogram. Once obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, a second night of polysomnography with the addition of CPAP is often performed to treat the obstructive breathing. Ideally, a full night of diagnostic data is obtained and analyzed prior to the initiation of treatment in order to allow the interpreting physician to examine the data in detail before making therapeutic recommendations, and in order to allow you adequate sleep time in an unusual environment. In addition, a full night of CPAP therapy is preferred in order to allow adequate time for the technologist to perform an optimal titration, and to allow you adequate time to adjust to the CPAP and cycle through all stages of sleep.

Obstructed Airway	Patient Using CPAP

Obstructive Apnea on Polysomnogram

Split night studies may be preferred however, due to monetary or time considerations, scheduling and travel arrangement difficulties, or other patient hospitality issues. A split night study consists of a baseline diagnostic test which proceeds from two to four hours, followed by CPAP interventional therapy the same night if indicated. The indication for applying CPAP is determined in advance by the Center’s Medical Director (Staff), and may vary based on your medical history and physical findings.