Simulate BiPAP with APAP for more data – Need Advice

[cyberfiche]

I was prescribed BiPAP a few months ago, and I have been using a ResMed AirCurve 11. I noticed that flow limitation data and snore data were missing from OSCAR. I looked into this, and apparently, the AirCurve 11 doesn’t record that flow limitation and snore when in BiPAP mode. However, it will record this data in CPAP or APAP (VAuto) modes. 

I really wanted to check out this data, so I devised a work-around. I changed the mode from BiPAP (S mode) to APAP (VAuto mode). I then set the maximum IPAP and minimum EPAP levels to my BiPAP prescription levels of 13 and 9. I then set the Support Pressure (difference between IPAP and EPAP) to 4 to keep the IPAP and EPAP levels constant where I want them. This method of simulating BiPAP with APAP seems to be working well from what I can tell, and I now have the data for flow limitation and snore.

My question is this. Am I crazy for doing this, or does this sound like a reasonable method? Are there any complications or problems that I might be overlooking by using APAP in a simulated BiPAP way? Thanks for any advice!

- cyberfiche

[SarcasticDave94]

If you have VAuto as a mode, and this is a ResMed AirCurve as you say, your use of VAuto isn't an APAP simulating bilevel, it is bilevel. The VAuto is an auto mode on bilevel.

[Phaleronic]

You're using vauto mode which is auto bilevel, s mode is bilevel too but set's a constant min epap pressure that stays fixed (I prefer this mode to vauto).

[cyberfiche]

Thanks for the clarity on VAuto! I feel better knowing that I'm still using BiPAP.