Joshua H. Atkins

Atkins (United States), University of Pennsylvania

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About

Joshua H. Atkins is a leading anesthesiologist and researcher whose work centers on the intersection of airway management, sleep-disordered breathing, and procedural sedation. His primary contributions lie in refining drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), a critical diagnostic tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Atkins pioneered a probability ramp propofol infusion system for DISE, demonstrating its safety and efficacy in patients with severe OSA—a breakthrough that enables more precise, reproducible airway assessments during pharmacologically induced sleep. His landmark 2014 study on this protocol has garnered 42 citations, underscoring its influence on clinical practice. Beyond this, his 2017 practical update on DISE serves as a definitive guide for anesthesia providers establishing new programs, addressing the growing global burden of OSA. Atkins’ work bridges anesthesiology and sleep medicine, offering surgeons and clinicians a reliable framework for evaluating upper airway collapse. His research has directly shaped perioperative protocols for high-risk OSA patients, advancing both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. Through these contributions, Atkins has become a key figure in optimizing sedation strategies for sleep endoscopy, with his findings widely adopted in academic and clinical settings.