BIPAP vs Expiratory pressure relief

[KReardon]

My ResMed AirCurve 10 VAUTO has stopped powering on. I tried to purchase a ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPap Machine thinking that its "expiratory pressure relief" would be the same as the AirCurve 10 VAUTO's BIPAP function. Is that not the case?

[jcoleman]

The Airsense 11 does have pressure support, in the form of what they call EPR. However, EPR can only be set at a maximum of three, which is under the useful range for a lot of bi-pap folks, it seems.

My experience, though, is that even with similar pressure support, my AirCurve smooths out my flow limitations better and gives me a better inhale/exhale ratio.

[pholynyk]

Definitely not the same.

The pressure support on the vAuto ranges from 0 to 10 cm H2O in steps of 0.2 cm H2O, whereas the AutoSet EPR can be 0, 1, 2, or 3 cm H2O.

The vAuto also allows setting the min and max time of inspiration, as well as the switchover points from IPAP to EPAP and vice versa (trigger and cycle).

[KReardon]

Thank you jcoleman and pholynyk for your replies. My EPAP is 5-12 cm so the AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP doesn't seem like it would be a good fit. Is there another machine you would suggest besides a ResMed AirCurve 10 VAUTO, which doesn't seem to be available with a modem.

[pholynyk]

Not too long ago I bought a refurbished AirCurve 10 vAuto from Secondwind, (Supplier #2 on our list) which did have a 4G modem. There was a considerable savings over a new unit. Highly recommended.

Not sure why you feel a modem is a requirement; The SD card can be uploaded fairly easily, and OSCAR works directly with the SD card.

[KReardon]

I've been very happy with my AirCurve 10 VAUTO over the last 5 years. I have used OSCAR over the years to change my settings and to check the results, but it was convenient using the myAir website to get a quick view of my sleep patterns.  I will check out SecondWindCPAP. Thanks for the feedback.