Large size nasal pillow causing higher frequency of CAs?
Hi everyone,
I've been trialing the Swift FX nasal pillow mask and feel that it is the perfect mask for me. The mask is similar to the P10 but has a more stable headgear so it tends to slip less at night and causing less leaks. Along with the mask I am also trying the large size pillows.
My go-to P10 mask size for the last couple of years has been Medium, which I always thought provided decent (but not great) airflow and minor leaks.
After trying the large size pillow I've concluded that is the better pillow size for me - it provides more airflow and doesn't have that "sucking air through a straw" feeling that the Medium pillow does.
The only issue is that my CA events are high after making the switch. I can use the Medium pillow at much higher IPAP / EPAP pressures without any issues, and I'm not sure why this is.
For example:
Medium pillow, PS 3.6, EPAP 9.0 = No CA events / no hypopnea/apnea events
Large pillow, PS 3.4, EPAP 6.8 = 5 CA events / no hypopnea/apnea events
Any ideas as to why the large pillows would cause more CAs even at an overall lower pressure? I didn't think changing pillow size could have such a large impact on events. The only thing I can think of is it has to do with better airflow...or something.
Curious to see if anyone else has seen this when changing pillow sizes.
I've been trialing the Swift FX nasal pillow mask and feel that it is the perfect mask for me. The mask is similar to the P10 but has a more stable headgear so it tends to slip less at night and causing less leaks. Along with the mask I am also trying the large size pillows.
My go-to P10 mask size for the last couple of years has been Medium, which I always thought provided decent (but not great) airflow and minor leaks.
After trying the large size pillow I've concluded that is the better pillow size for me - it provides more airflow and doesn't have that "sucking air through a straw" feeling that the Medium pillow does.
The only issue is that my CA events are high after making the switch. I can use the Medium pillow at much higher IPAP / EPAP pressures without any issues, and I'm not sure why this is.
For example:
Medium pillow, PS 3.6, EPAP 9.0 = No CA events / no hypopnea/apnea events
Large pillow, PS 3.4, EPAP 6.8 = 5 CA events / no hypopnea/apnea events
Any ideas as to why the large pillows would cause more CAs even at an overall lower pressure? I didn't think changing pillow size could have such a large impact on events. The only thing I can think of is it has to do with better airflow...or something.
Curious to see if anyone else has seen this when changing pillow sizes.
