Airsense 10 - AHI account for leak rate?

[FriedRice]

I was using the Resvent ibreeze the last year, which was my first year of CPAP therapy.  It took a few months but I settled on Bleep Dreamport mask and mouth tape.  Went with this mask due to hair issues and leaks. I had a zero-leak rate per ibreeze with the Dreamports.  

The last few nights using the same mask and mouth tape setup, I got a 10L/min leak rate per Airsense 10 Sleep report.  I know up to 24L/min is acceptable and that some leaking is necessary. 

My question is, is my AHI number accurate despite the leak rate?  In other words, last night I had an AHI of .9 and a leak rate of 10L/min.

[Deborah K.]

Your AHI will be accurate unless you are a fair bit over the 24L.  The ResMed machines are better and report more accurately.

[FriedRice]

Thank you.

[FriedRice]

Deborah sorry for the late follow up.  Do you think the difference between the ibreeze leak rate (which was zero using same mask/hose) and Airsense 10 leak rate is that the Airsense 10 is just giving me a more accurate number?

I'm having a problem identifying why I'm showing a leak rate with my new Airsense 10, where before, I had no leak rate with the Resvent ibreeze.  Same mask, and everything.  I use the Bleep Dreamports.  These dont' leak.  I went almost a full year using them and no leaks, ever.  All I did was switch to the Airsense and the data now shows a consistent 7L/min leak. Could it be the machine just accounts for the intentional leak rate of the mask differently?  I swapped out the hoses, and even additionally used a chin strap one night in addition to the mouth tape.  I also made sure the water tank was firmly secured.  

[Deborah K.]

I do think it is just more accurate.  How wide is your mouth tape, and how long is the piece you wear?  I learned that I need to wear a 2-inch wide and 5-1/2 inches long piece to control my mouth leaks.  If I use narrower or shorter I still leak a good bit.  I still don't always have 0 leaks.  I use Bleep too, and I have to tape it very carefully to avoid leaks out of the sides of the tape if a tiny channel develops.  Nothing is perfect.  I don't expect all zeros, but I sure do like them when they happen.  

[FriedRice]

Someone on another forum said the following:

"7lpm is the normal calibration for mask leaks... this is subtracted from the leak data to put the leak graph at zero. Try loading your data into Oscar and see what the leak graph shows. All masks have a built-in 7lpm leak."

[Crimson Nape]

Every mask that I have used was always accompanied by a pamphlet containing a graph of leak values at different pressures. Each manufacturer will report the leak in different ways. If I remember correctly, the Philips reports both total leakage and leakage minus the mask leak rate. The Resmed only reports the leak rate after subtracting the mask's leakage. I'm unsure as to how the other manufacturers are reporting this parameter.
- Red

[FriedRice]

I suspect the Airsense 10 is more accurate than the ibreeze machine.  The ibreeze was pretty bad.  I should have gotten rid of it long ago.  I will keep it as a backup.  I was getting the same issue that the LankyLefty reported on - this weird pulsating pressure issue.  Airsense 10 is working so much better for me.  Love it so far.

[Deborah K.]

Good to hear.    They are great machines.

[FriedRice]

UPDATE: 0L/min. It was set to averages LOL. ughhh all that trouble shooting to only find out it was set to average.