Provent is the brand name for Ventus Medical’s disposable, stick-on nose plugs, which are a new (second-line) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The pinholes in the nostrils of the bandage-like device let air in during inspiration but create back pressure during exhale, preventing airway collapse.
The New York Times’ Well blog just published a story about Provent that sounds like a lightly edited press release (the piece refers to Provent as a “godsend” for certain patients and concludes with a patient calling it “a miracle… I’m just so happy I found it.”) The adoring piece quickly rose to the top of the New York Times’ “Most E-Mailed” list.
The cited randomized trial involved 250 patients, almost all of whom had mild or moderate OSA, and was published in April 2011 in Sleep (median apnea-hypopnea index of about 12). Using Provent for three months resulted in a 40% or more reduction in AHI (from a median of 14 to 6) in almost half of them, compared to a 10% reduction with a sham device.
The 34 most compliant patients who had the largest 3-month response to Provent were cherry-picked in a one-year follow-up study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Provent resulted in a persistent improvement in median AHI from 16 to 5 in this highly selected cohort (34 of the initial 127).
Both trials were supported by Ventus Medical and were done in part at private sleep facilities. All three authors claim to have received compensation from Ventus Medical.
There is no information on the effects of Provent on the cardiovascular system. According to the Ventus Medical website, only 18 Provent-treated patients experienced severe obstructive sleep apnea in the initial cohort. Insurance coverage do not cover Provent.
Clinical Takeaway: Provent may be a good alternative for persons with mild to moderate OSA who are unable or unable to use CPAP and can afford the $75 monthly out-of-pocket cost. At those prices, it’s reasonable to assume that only those who profit from Provent will continue to use it. People with severe OSA (defined as 30 or more apneas or hypopneas per hour, or AHI) should be aggressively encouraged to use CPAP, according to observational research. Because so many individuals can’t, won’t, or don’t want to use CPAP (and who can blame them? ), Provent and similar devices ought to be studied further in bigger randomized trials.
“Treating Sleep Apnea Without the Mask,” by Anahad O’Connor, The New York Times, April 9, 2012.
Is Provent sleep apnea therapy covered by insurance?
Policy of Coverage Provent (nasal expiratory positive airway pressure) for obstructive sleep apnea is experimental and unproven, hence it is not covered. To establish the efficacy or effects on health care outcomes, there is inadequate trustworthy evidence in the form of high-quality peer-reviewed medical literature.
How much does Provent cost?
The average price for 30 box(s), each with two miscellaneous, is $144.99. Using the WebMDRx coupon, you can get provent sr sleep apnea therapy for $129.22, which is an 11 percent reduction. Even if Medicare or your insurance covers this drug, we recommend that you shop around.
Why is Provent no longer available?
Provent, an obstructive sleep apnea treatment that uses expiratory positive airway pressure to keep airways open, will be phased out on June 1, 2020. Patients who are currently taking Provent should keep taking it until their supply runs out or expires. (The most recent batch is due to expire on September 16, 2023.)
We’ve experienced steady growth in sales, expanded our sales outlets in the US and around the world, and received letters and comments from many satisfied customers who have relied on Provent to successfully treat their OSA with a level of convenience that is still unmatched by any other product.
Unfortunately, our expenses to produce and market Provent have been continuously growing as well, and with the present global uncertainties, we cannot guarantee manufacturing dates or quality moving forward.
Our present Provent stockpile has been depleted, hence we are announcing the closure of our company, as well as the end of the manufacturing life for the Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy product.
Does Provent stop snoring?
Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) is used in Provent sleep apnea therapy to clear nasal airways. Sleep apnea is treated with this sort of EPAP therapy. The Provent device is fixed by an adhesive and fits over the nostrils. When breathing while sleeping, the valve contracts, redirecting the air through microscopic holes to generate resistance. To keep the airway open, Provent uses EPAP to establish and maintain pressured breathing. Provent, unlike inexpensive snoring remedies from the drugstore, is intended to help you with your sleep condition. Sleeping will get simpler and sleep apnea will become less of a concern in your life if you continue to utilize this device.
Is there a patch for sleep apnea?
BOSTON (CBS) A novel, disposable diagnostic patch efficiently detects obstructive sleep apnea across all severity levels, according to the findings of a conclusive clinical trial.
The total rate of clinical agreement between the patch and standard in-lab polysomnography was 87.4%, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 81.4 percent to 91.9 percent, according to the findings. According to the authors, the findings of the study will be utilized to secure FDA approval for the device SomnaPatch. The skin-adhesive diagnostic patch monitors nose pressure, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiratory effort, sleep time, and body position and weighs less than one ounce.
“Our study offered clinical validation of a new wearable device for diagnosing sleep apnea,” stated Maria Merchant, PhD, CEO of Somnarus Inc., the study’s primary investigator. “We were blown away by how well this low-cost tiny device performed in compared to in-lab sleep trials.”
The study included 174 participants who underwent simultaneous polysomnography and patch recordings. Using only the instructions given with the device, 38 out of 39 users were successful in activating the diagnostic patch and collecting at least 4 hours of sleep data.
“The majority of home sleep diagnostic gadgets are difficult for patients to operate and disrupt their sleep,” Merchant said. “This wearable home sleep monitor is highly comfortable, easy to use, and does not interfere with sleep, according to our research.”
The research abstract was recently published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep, and it will be presented as a poster on Sunday, June 4, and as an oral presentation on Wednesday, June 7, at SLEEP 2017, the 31st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), which is a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, in Boston.
Clinical Validation of a Diagnostic Patch for Sleep Apnea Detection is the title of the abstract.
Can skinny people have sleep apnea?
“Can Skinny People Have Sleep Apnea?” is a frequently asked question about Sleep Apnea. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. Obesity, however, is not the only source of sleep problems. Sleep apnea can affect even the healthiest of people.
What is the best device for sleep apnea?
CPAP is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It works by blowing air with constant pressure down your mouth as you sleep to keep your airways open. The treatment is carried out with the help of a CPAP machine, which has three basic components:
- While sleeping, a mask that goes over your nose or your nose and mouth and is held in place by straps.
CPAP machines are compact, light, and relatively silent. If you’re going on a trip, bring your CPAP with you.
CPAP therapy has a number of advantages, including keeping your airways open while sleeping, reducing snoring, enhancing sleep quality, reducing daytime tiredness, and lowering blood pressure.
Although you will most likely feel more rested and alert once you begin using CPAP, acclimating to the device may take some time. During the first few nights of treatment, some people have trouble sleeping.
Call your doctor if you’re experiencing any of these or other issues. It’s possible that adjusting your CPAP machine will make it more comfortable. Some CPAP machines offer extra features, such as heated humidifiers, to help with issues like airway drying. A padded face mask, chin straps, and nasal saltwater sprays are among more options. Additional advice from your doctor is possible.
Is there an alternative to a CPAP machine?
BiPAP (BiLevel PAP Therapy) is a type of bilevel PAP therapy that operates similarly to CPAP. BiPAP employs two pressures instead of one: a higher inhale pressure and a lower exhale pressure. BiPAP is frequently used as an alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea in patients who also have lung problems, such as COPD.
Is Provent available in Canada?
Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy, a non-invasive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, has been released in Canada by Ventus Medical.
Provent Therapy is already accessible in Ontario, and by June 2013, it will be available across Canada. Provent Therapy’s strategic distribution partner in Canada is ioSleep Inc.
To keep a patient’s airway open while sleeping, Provent uses nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP).
“We feel that Provent Therapy, which has been clinically proved, offers a unique and convenient option to CPAP treatment for the enormous number of people in Canada who are currently impacted by OSA,” stated Philip Westbrook, MD, Ventus Medical’s chief medical officer. “Since 2008, Provent Therapy has been used successfully in the United States, and clinical studies have shown that it improves sleep quality while reducing apnea (breathing disturbances), daytime sleepiness, and snoring. Provent is also simple to use, portable, and unobtrusive, making it ideal for usage at home or on the go.”