Auto bipap vs epr

[Cygnus]

Hello all,

I have an aircurve Vauto. My question is this...

If I set the machine in vauto mode, with a pressure support of 3 and a max Ipap of 18,

Is it really any different than using an auto set, with a max pressure of 18 and an epr of 3?

Seems to me like in this case, the different machines/modes would essentially provide the same therapy...

[Sleeprider]

You would also have to set a min EPAP, but I agree it should be very similar as the PS acts roughly equivalent to EPR, the difference being, instead of exhale pressure relief, you are increasing pressure from EPAP. Same difference, eh? For more fun and games, the PS on the PRS1 760 can be set as a range. So with Resmed the EPAP and IPAP move together, while with a Philips BiPAP, EPAP and IPAP move independently constrained only by the minimum and maximum pressure support.

[Cygnus]

So my thought is if I am getting effective therapy on Vauto with a pressure support of 3 and a max Ipap of below 20, I could probably get by with a much cheaper airsense 10 auto set.

I need to pick up a backup machine at some point...could save a lot of money this way...

[Sleeprider]

Bilevel with pressure support less than 4 CM is a comfort issue rather than therapeutic. Yes, the Autoset should be fine.

[Sleepster]

If I set the machine in vauto mode, with a pressure support of 3 and a max Ipap of 18,

Is it really any different than using an auto set, with a max pressure of 18 and an epr of 3?

I'm not sure if a EPR of 3 means a pressure drop of 3 cm. If it does then perhaps they are the same. Another difference might be the timing of the pressure change. For example with EPR the pressure rises back up to 18 when you stop exhaling but with the VAuto it may not rise back up until you start inhaling.

I need to pick up a backup machine at some point...could save a lot of money this way...

Look for an older S9 Autoset and see if it works for you.