Philips Respironics vs. Resmed airsense10 in analyzing rera's

[yankees123]

My sleep study showed mostly rera events:

rera   101
RDI    17.8

I understand that the cpap machines philips respironics system one and the resmed airsense 10 can detect rera's.  I also know that they are not perfectly accurate since no EEG, but has anyone found out if one machine is more accurate than the other in this detection.
They probably use different algorithms but just wanted to know if any one is better.  Any head to head data?
With my results in my sleep study does it make sense for me to purchase one of these machines?
My RERA's were:17 in REM and 84 in Non-REM. Apneas were 1 event.  

thanks for your advice.

[Walla Walla]

I don't think anyone knows for sure if one machine or the other is better at detecting RERA's.

They would probably have to be compared them in a sleep center and I don't think that's going to happen.

[Sleeprider]

With RERA, the cause is not clearly understood, and there are not many accepted therapy approaches. CPAP can relieve respiratory resistance, but anecdotally in the forum, we have observed better results with pressure support in bilevel, or the exhale pressure relief of the Resmed machines. Insurance policies vary in coverage to pay for positive pressure therapy for RERA and UARS (upper airway resistance syndrome). If you have coverage, or want to pursue treatment without it, I would consider going with a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset or the Philips BiPAP (Resmed Aircurve 10 does not give RERA data).

[yankees123]

Thanks for your advice.

[PaytonA]

According to Barry Krakow MD Internist and Sleep specialist, RERAs, UARS, and flow limitations are the same thing. They usually treat UARS with increased pressure support and claim it is effective in most cases. Dr. Krakow is a hosehead himself with UARS. He treated his UARS effectively with 8 cm/H2O pressure support. This, of course, requires a bilevel machine to accomplish.

I am working on my flow limitations with pressure support but I am going at it slowly and my trial has been interrupted. I will say, however, that I moved from PS=4 to PS=5 and after a while my flow limitations did reduce significantly.

Best Regards,

PaytonA

[yankees123]

I am a little confused, can you please explain pressure support.

[Crimson Nape]

I am a little confused, can you please explain pressure support.

Pressure Support (PS) is the difference between the exhale and inhale pressures.  The PS term is usually used in conjunction with a Bi-Level or ASV type of machine.  On a Resmed CPAP this feature is referred to as Exhale Pressure Relief (EPR). It is mainly used as a comfort feature.  Its range is from 0 to 3, which reduces your exhale pressure by the number selected.   An example is having your CPAP set to 12cmH₂O and setting the EPR to "2".  Your inhale pressure will be 12cm and your exhale pressure will be 10cm.   It works a little differently on a Bi-Level.  Instead of reducing from the inhale pressure, it is a value added to your exhale pressure to produce your inhale pressure value.  It achieves the same thing but is configured a little differently. Also, on a Bi-Level the PS value can go much higher than the 3cm.

[yankees123]

Thanks for the explanation.  How do you determine if a bilevel device is needed.  Is it usually when you need pressures in excess of 20?  I am on Resmed s9 autoset
pressure 8/18, with an per of 2.  Leaks are well controlled and AHI ranges .4-2.0.

[Crimson Nape]

Download #SleepyHead so we may see some data.

[Gideon]

Higher Pressures are one criteria. If you are frequently going over 15 consider BiPap/BiLevel for your next machine.
Another criteria is intolerance of CPAP. Because of the higher PS available some people find it more comfortable.