St vs. ASv

[jerry1967]

What is the difference between an ST machine and an ASV res mend sleep machine? Just saw my sleep DR. and he wants another sleep study. He said it was for a St Machine because of centrals. I have never heard of an ST machine before this. Is it the same thing as an ASV?

[Gideon]

Absolutely not the same machine.


Per the ResMed Sleep Lab Titration Guide

ST (Spontaneous/Timed)   Augments any breaths initiated by the patient, but also supplies additional breaths if the breath rate falls below the clinician’s set “backup” respiratory rate

Treats COPD, NMD, OHS and other respiratory conditions



ASV (adaptive servo-ventilation) Targets the patient’s minute ventilation, continually learning the patient’s breathing pattern and instantly responding to any changes 

Treats Central or mixed apneas, complex sleep apnea, Periodic Breathing (PB)



ASVAuto Provides an ASV algorithm plus expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) that automatically responds on the patient’s next breath to flow limitation, snore and obstructive sleep apneas

Treats Central or mixed apneas, complex sleep apnea, Periodic Breathing (PB)



T (Timed) Supplies a clinician-set respiratory rate and inspiratory/expiratory time, regardless of patient effort


Treats COPD, NMD, OHS and other respiratory conditions

[Sleeprider]

In other words, ST is the wrong machine to treat central apnea and periodic breathing or CSR. We have seen this dozens of times. I can think of only one case where ST turned out to be the better choice. In all other cases, the ASV was the solution. Read this thread:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...Chart+envy

[jerry1967]

According to those descriptions I should be tested for an ASV because the Dr. told me I have too many centrals.

With my other obstructions.

[RayBee]

I have centrals.  My AHI was 40+/- on a ResMed VAuto machine during my 5th titration study.  For me, the VAuto machine identified positively that I had Centrals along with the fact that I was able to give them enough data to say it was a successful study.  The ASV machine was expensive, out-of-pocket (yeah me!) but well worth it.  Now I am running AHI's of sub-5.0 average somewhat consistently.  And much better if I discount SWJ events.  The SWJ adjusted AHI is often below 1.0.  The important thing for me is I feel such and incredible improvement during the day having my ASV machine.  I believe the general consensus on the Apnea Board is that the ResMed AirCurve ASV is preferred over the PR equivalent.  I don't know anything about the PR machine, but I am in love with my ResMed ASV.  I'm just playing around with the settings as time permits to get the best balance of lowest AHI reports and most comfort.

If your sleep doctor does prescribe a ResMed AirCurve ASV machine to treat your Centrals, I believe you will be very pleased with the machine and your results.

All the best.

Ray

[jerry1967]

thanks, everybody for the replies,  Does the ASV also treat hypopnea?

[Gideon]

Both Obstructive and Central Hypopneas