ELi5 EPR Settings?
Hi,
I'd like to ask about EPR settings--I'm having a difficult time understanding what it does, and why. I've experienced both 0 and at 3 on my Airsense 10, and I find more comfort on 3, but I don't understand why it's more comfortable. Is anyone able to help me understand, in an ELi5?
Thank you lots!
RE: ELi5 EPR Settings?
ELI5 I don't understand.
EPR is Expiratory Pressure Relief. This means that pressure is lowered by 1, 2, or3 cmw on exhale when enabled. Pressure can never be lowered lower than 4 cmw. ResMed considers this to be a comfort feature and is likely why you feel better at EPR of 3.
BUT.....
EPR is far more than a comfort feature and actually is your best way to manage hypopneas, flow limitations, RERAS, and UARS.
EPR lowers your exhale pressure to below your inhale pressure establishing two distinct pressures for each breath. This is the distinction a BiLevel machine has over a CPAP. On a CPAP you have to be aware that this drop in exhale pressure may require a corresponding increase in the (inhale) pressure to maintain the level of management for OA events.
Titration 101
Set exhale pressure to ?minimize the occurrence of OA, Obstructive Apnea events.by slowly increasing the exhale pressure
Then slowly increase the inhale pressure, maintaining the exhale pressure,, to manage hypopneas and flow limitations and thus, by association of RERAS and UARS, those as well
On CPAPs this is accomplished with EPR while adjusting (inhale) pressure as needed.
The better management of these events may very well be why you feel better at EPR=3.
11-15-2023, 08:38 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-15-2023, 08:39 AM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: ELi5 EPR Settings?
The reason EPR makes the CPAP more comfortable is because of the action described in its name, exhale pressure relief. When the AutoSet senses you're exhaling, pressure drops 1, 2, or 3 according to the EPR number. It's measured in cmH2O, same as CPAP pressure. The lower pressure is easier to breathe against.
A side benefit is due to the pressure differential between inhale and exhale more events are acted on.
To gain the most out of EPR 3, your minimum pressure needs to be 7. The math is 4 (absolute physical minimum of AutoSet) plus EPR number equals min set pressure.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
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RE: ELi5 EPR Settings?
ELI5 explanation
It works like magic.
