Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea
Central Apneas from pressure support? - Printable Version

+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Central Apneas from pressure support? (/Thread-Central-Apneas-from-pressure-support)



Central Apneas from pressure support? - djhvyc - 02-17-2021

Hi All, 

I've been experimenting with pressure support and a couple nights ago had quite a few "clear airway" apneas. 

When I use fixed pressure I don't have the same clear airway apneas but I do get other apneas.

Anyone know how I should proceed?


RE: Central Apneas from pressure support? - SarcasticDave94 - 02-17-2021

It looks like you might have a bit of an issue with variable pressure. Did you get your copy of your sleep study? Get that detailed copy and post the redacted version here. Mainly I'm looking for event type and count. Other info may be helpful too.

You've been on PAP how long? Do you see trends regarding CA, as in they show often?

For now it's probably a good idea to keep pressure variance to a minimum. EPR 1 at most and no Ramp. The difference in CA between the 2 OSCAR charts regarding CA is worth looking into. It was still in the treated area below 5 AHI but it is well to avoid them to maximize comfort.


RE: Central Apneas from pressure support? - djhvyc - 02-18-2021

Hi Dave, 

I took EPR off and kept the range from 8 to 12... lo and behold I am feeling good today and have a very solid AHI score for 8.5 hours!

Unfortunately I don't have my sleep study info.

My new question - is this apnea officially in a treated state? Or should I work/experiment to get that number even lower?

Obviously to make sure this isn't a fluke I will continue to check daily results and monitor my symptoms.

Thanks to all


RE: Central Apneas from pressure support? - SarcasticDave94 - 02-18-2021

The action I'd do is try to repeat that OSCAR data the next sleep session with no setting changes. It's a positive direction I'm thinking. And note that our Apnea treatment is not to have no events, to chase after zero events. Really it's to get low events and maintaining comfort and well rested after the fact. As in like this one from you. You say rest and comfort were better, so that's a win. And that brings us back to repeat this result.


RE: Central Apneas from pressure support? - Gideon - 02-18-2021

Agree with Dave, mostly 
Your flow limits are acceptable, but I think they are causing your pressure to rise.  You can shrink the vertical height of the leak and flow limits chart so they fit on the page.

Try the existing settings and note how you feel 

Then set PS=1 and see which settings feel better. It is the PS that treats the hypopneas and flow limits best.

The one to use is the one that feels bedt