AirCurve 10 VAUTO

[pogosix]

I have my AirCurve 10 VAUTO, I really like it so far but the first night it had a "AHI" rate of 34. I changed the Trigger setting from "MED to High" it lowered it to around 5 Events/Hour. What is an acceptable number? Does changing the trigger setting to a higher rate have any drawbacks?

[justMongo]

For most people the trigger is left at the default setting. Just changing it based on AHI is not really drilling down to the problem.
You may have prevented it from triggering from EPAP to IPAP, defeating the purpose of a VPAP (bilevel) machine.

You should be looking at the data with software to determine what kind of apnea composed the AHI of 34. If central apnea, lowering the PS might have been a better way to go.

Since you list a single pressure in your profile; it begs the question: What mode are you running that VAUTO in? Auto, S mode, or CPAP.

[pogosix]

It is in S mode IPAP=16 EPAP=8

[justMongo]

So, you PS = IPAP - EPAP = 16 - 8 = 8 cm-water.
Were you prescribed that wide a split?

[PaytonA]

What prompted you to change the trigger setting? What was your rationale? Your trigger setting does not give you a higher or lower rate but it does give you a higher or lower sensitivity for the trigger to occur.

It actually sounds to me like your EPAP setting was too low.

Best Regards,

PaytonA

[pogosix]

Yes, I have a muscle disease ( POMPE Disease) that has compromised my breathing muscles and when I am lying down I have trouble breathing. I have had several sleep studies and this seems to work the best. I can't sleep without my BiPap.

[justMongo]

You should probably be on an ASV machine. They are essentially a non-invasive ventilator.

I would recommend that people with such rare conditions not try to manage their own therapy.
It's way beyond the scope of this forum.

[pogosix]

Thanks, I'll be talking to my Doctor soon.