To evaluate the impact of early ventilation in stroke outcomes in patients with sleep apnea and first ever stroke, 1 month after stroke.

Single-center, randomized, open label, parallel arm, prospective study in patients with sleep apnea after first-ever stroke.

The study will consist of screening, baseline assessment, interventional period (consisting of a treatment period and follow-up visits), and a follow-up phone call.

Patients will be randomly assigned to ASV (active) or control groups, within 4 days after the PSG II and will start the respective intervention in the same day.

Patients assigned to the active group will receive ventilatory support with ASV (DreamStation BiPAP autoSV®) during diurnal and nocturnal sleep, from study randomization until clinically indicated. Patients assigned to control group will receive best medical treatment for stroke alone, including rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent obtained from the participant or the legally acceptable representative, prior to any study-related procedure.
2. Male or female between 18 and 80 years, inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent.
3. Admission to the hospital within 48 h of stroke symptoms onset.
4. Ischemic first stroke diagnosis.
5. NIHSS ≥2 at screening.
6. Sleep apnea with AHI ≥15.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. CSA with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ⩽45%.
2. Ventilation treatment for sleep apnea diagnosis, prior to stroke.
3. Risk of aspiration.
4. Nasogastric feeding tube.
5. Transient ischemic attack, hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
6. Stroke due to a secondary cause (e.g. vascular malformation, vasculitis, brain tumor, head trauma, or predisposition to bleeding).
7. Cardiorespiratory distress.
8. Advanced chronic lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen.
9. Concomitant central nervous system diseases such as dementia or multiple sclerosis.
10. Uncontrolled psychosis or agitation.
11. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <10 at screening.
12. Anosognosia, global or Wernicke aphasia.
13. Insufficient upper limbs function to use a mask and no overnight caregiver to help.
14. Inability to attend to the rehabilitation program of the hospital.
15. Pregnant and breast-feeding women.
16. Participation in another clinical study (except a standard-of-care registry).
17. Any other condition that, according to the Investigator, renders the subject unsuitable for ventilation.