Ep. 284 Optimizing Nasal Airway for CPAP Compliance with Dr. Michael Hutz and Dr. Atul Malhotra

Is nasal obstruction the overlooked culprit behind CPAP intolerance? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, Dr. Gopi Shah interviews Dr. Atul Malhotra and Dr. Michael Hutz to examine the critical but often underappreciated role of the nose in obstructive sleep apnea management. They discuss how nasal obstruction can undermine CPAP adherence, why relying solely on AHI may miss key issues, and how identifying the true cause of intolerance can lead to more personalized and effective therapy. --- Get the BackTable app https://www.backtable.com/app --- This podcast is supported by Aerin Medical https://vivaer.com/ --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 04:05 - OSA Presentation and AHI Limitations 08:13 - Understanding CPAP Intolerance and Nasal Obstruction 15:24 - Evaluating Nasal Obstruction 20:32 - Nasal Anatomy and Workup 27:47 - DICE Technique and Assessing Dynamic Nasal Collapse 32:51 - Medical and Non-Surgical Management 37:29 - Surgical Options and VivAer 43:39 - Nasal Procedures and CPAP Success 51:57 - Nasal Surgery and Heart Outcomes 55:23 - Beyond CPAP: Nasal Breathing, Myofunctional Therapy, and Collaborative Care 01:04:51 - Wrap Up --- More about this episode The physicians review practical strategies for evaluating nasal obstruction, from targeted patient questionnaires, physical exams, nasal endoscopy, and selective imaging. The doctors also detail medical and surgical treatment options, from allergy management and nasal sprays to septoplasty, turbinate reduction, functional rhinoplasty, and temperature-controlled radiofrequency (VivAer). Throughout the episode, they highlight how comprehensive nasal evaluation and intervention can significantly improve CPAP comfort and adherence. --- Resources Dr. Atul Malhotra - https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/22362/sleep-medicine-pulmonology-(lung) Dr. Michael Hutz- https://doctors.rush.edu/details/19100 CPAP treatment persistence following nasal procedures in obstructive sleep apnea - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13696998.2026.2671550 Design and rationale for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea using Targeted Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation trial - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551714422001306 The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498537/ VATRAC Trial of VivAer - https://aerinmedical.com/company/news-and-media/aerin-medical-announces-positive-two-year-outcomes-from-the-vatrac-trial-of-vivaer/ --- BackTable ENT & Allergy is the go-to podcast for otolaryngologists, allergists, and head and neck surgeons. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app