Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
William In PH

Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

Post by William In PH » Sat Sep 13, 2014 1:15 am

In the DeVilbiss SmartCode Report Definitions, Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) is the average AHI per hour. I have assumed that it meant the number of events per hour that it detected and STOPPED per hour. The main reason I assumed this was because of the NRI stat (Non Responding Events) which is the number of events per hour that it detects but does not respond to.

But now I see in the definitions for AHI, "While on the AutoAdjust or AutoBilevel, an AHI equal to or below 10/hour is acceptable but an AHI equal to or below 5/hour is best."

This makes me think that the machine is not responding to these events. I'm averaging 8 per hour, and if these events are not being stopped that is totally unacceptable. Thanks for any help... William

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

Post by Julie » Sat Sep 13, 2014 4:26 am

Hi, I'm not sure why that sentence has you believing the machine won't respond to events... all it said was that it's more preferable to have events under 5/hr and/or up to 10, but it didn't say they (or others) wouldn't be treated. Those are standard suggestions for how many events are acceptable or not, that's all, so don't read something into it that wasn't there.

In any case, what are your settings and what do your usual results look like? I also use only the codes to assess my progress and so far have been very happy with how things are presented.

If, however, you only do have a very few (<5-10) events at any time, could it be possible you've got 'positional' apnea that might be fixed by not sleeping on your back and/or maybe wearing a soft cervical collar to help keep your airway more open as well, so that possibly in time (and after further testing or using an oximeter overnight) you might not even need a machine.

User avatar
Rustsmith
Posts: 110
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:34 pm

Re: Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

Post by Rustsmith » Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:43 am

The manual is not very clear on this, but the events that Devibiss includes in the NRI number are events that do not fit its definition of an apnea or a hypopnea. These events might be scored by other machines as events such as snores or central apneas. The NRI are events are simply those that the machine's program says are events where increasing pressure will not resolve the event.

Also note that the machines allows some alteration of the definition of hypopnea and apnea. If these definitions have been altered, then some hypopnea or apnea events might get scored as NRI's.

_________________
Mask: SleepWeaver Anew™ Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-12, Sleepyhead V9.3-0

William in PH

Re: Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

Post by William in PH » Sun Sep 14, 2014 11:54 am

Thank you for the information about NRI. But my real question is about AHI. Does the machine respond to and stop the events recorded in the AHI stat before they become a traumatic event? I am averaging 8 an hour.

I just had two stints put in my heart and I sense brain damage from before I started CPAP therapy so it is critical that my therapy is working. I am using the SleepWeaver Elan mask.

Again, thanks for any and all info...
William, retired in the Philippines.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Meaning of DeVilbiss AHI Report Definition

Post by Pugsy » Sun Sep 14, 2014 11:58 am

William in PH wrote:Thank you for the information about NRI. But my real question is about AHI. Does the machine respond to and stop the events recorded in the AHI stat before they become a traumatic event? I am averaging 8 an hour.
It's supposed to prevent the events from ever happening to the point that they earn a flag.
8 per hour is more than I would want to see myself. If OA or hyponea that usually means the pressure is not optimal.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.