Episodes of apnoea for up to 1 min were observed in association with hypocapnia caused by passive nasal intermittent positive-pressure mechanical hyperventilation in 3 of 4 patients during sleep. Apnoea seemed to be caused by complete upper airways obstruction; we suggest that this finding was caused by active glottic closure. Avoidance of excessive hypocapnia during positive-pressure ventilation might help to avoid central-nervous-system mediated apnoeic episodes.