How to evaluate wave forms

[Labromaniac]

I use an ASV machine. I have read the wikis and done a search and been helped a lot by memebrs, but am still having trouble knowing how to evaluate a wave form myself when one sees an event flagged in OSCAR. Is there a step by step tutorial as to how to approach the zoomed in wave form to determine whether it is an OA or CA? What qualities does one look for first on the wave form? What other graphs does one bring into play to further evaluate and then get closer to knowing what the event was and what caused it?

For instance, how can you determine that it was an OA from chin tuck? How can you determine that it was a CA without enough pressure to knock it out.

Is there a tutorial on a step wise method for event wave form analysis? Or is it way more complicated than that? How does one learn?

Thanks for any advice!

[Gideon]

A lot of it is in OSCAR --The Guide wiki article.

Irregular breathing typically implies awake breathing.

A recovery breath, a big breath immediately after an apnea typically means an obstructive event.

Lack of the above may be holding the breath or a central

A waxing and waning pattern of breathing it typical of CO2 induced breathing and is commonly associated with centrals.

Whatever you do, do not get hung up on single or low count events. A lot of people see one or two centrals ang go OMG, I have centrals, I'm going to die. Well we all are going to die, just not today and not from this.

[Labromaniac]

Thanks so much. I did read that but still found reading an actual wave form confusing, not so much concerning my own case, but just reading a wave form in general - mine or anyone else's. I was hoping for a compendium of pictures of different forms and analysis of what they show and how to determine that. Perhaps that is hoping for way too much and really represents an entire course for a sleep tech.

[Sleeprider]

One of our oldest wiki articles is the Beginner's Guide to Sleepyhead. It doesn't get much better, or more chaotic than this for learning all the ins and outs. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...SleepyHead

[Labromaniac]

Awesome, will check it out!!