AHI: ResMed F10 vs. Aloha Nasal Pillows

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
steve.kobb
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Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:11 pm

AHI: ResMed F10 vs. Aloha Nasal Pillows

Post by steve.kobb » Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:39 am

I've got two different masks: A ResMed F10 full-face mask (FFM), and an Aloha Nasal Pillows (NP).

The machine is a ResMed S9 with the humidifier and a ClimateLine hose. Max pressure is 12.0.

I use RemZzzs mask liners with the F10.

Max pressure is 9.0 with the Aloha product.

The fit is nice and snug (but not overly tight) with both masks, and -- to my knowledge -- there is no air leak with either one.

Now...for some strange reason, there is a large difference in the AHI numbers for these two masks.

Example: Last night, I got a 0.8 AHI with the nasal pillows. The night before, I got a 22.4 with the F10. These numbers are pretty typical... for me.

So, here are a few questions: Is it reasonable to expect that an FFM's AHI would be so much larger than the AHI that I get with the Aloha?

Is it even possible to get an AHI under 4.0 with a full-face mask?

I like the ResMed mask, but it seems like I just can't get the full value of therapy when I use it.

If you have any advice for me, let me know!

Steve

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Pugsy
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Re: AHI: ResMed F10 vs. Aloha Nasal Pillows

Post by Pugsy » Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:45 am

First thing I would look at is the leak rate for the full face mask. Were there large leaks that allowed the airway to collapse?

Yes, often there is a difference in AHI between a FFM and nasal pillow mask because sometimes people need a little more pressure with a full face mask than they need with a nasal mask...but it is NOT normal to see that much of a discrepancy in AHI between the 2 masks. Not impossible to have that much of a discrepancy but not at all common. Usually maybe difference of 3 to 6 AHI with all being obstructive in nature and not central.

Also...what is the event category breakdown for that AHI of 22? Is it OA and hyponea mainly or is it mainly centrals which might mean awake/semi awake stuff getting flagged by mistake if you didn't sleep so good with the FFM?

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steve.kobb
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Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:11 pm

Re: AHI: ResMed F10 vs. Aloha Nasal Pillows

Post by steve.kobb » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:25 pm

Many thanks for your comments, Pugsy.

To answer your questions, I'm guessing that I'll have to do a SleepyHead analysis, which I have avoided until now.

We have an SD card reader on one of our older computers, but I've never used it, so getting this data analysis set up should be... an "adventure".

Let me do that, and I'll get back to you.


Steve

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SGearhart
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Re: AHI: ResMed F10 vs. Aloha Nasal Pillows

Post by SGearhart » Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:59 pm

steve.kobb wrote:I've got two different masks: A ResMed F10 full-face mask (FFM), and an Aloha Nasal Pillows (NP).
The machine is a ResMed S9 with the humidifier and a ClimateLine hose. Max pressure is 12.0.
I use RemZzzs mask liners with the F10.
Max pressure is 9.0 with the Aloha product.
The fit is nice and snug (but not overly tight) with both masks, and -- to my knowledge -- there is no air leak with either one.
Now...for some strange reason, there is a large difference in the AHI numbers for these two masks.
Example: Last night, I got a 0.8 AHI with the nasal pillows. The night before, I got a 22.4 with the F10. These numbers are pretty typical... for me.
So, here are a few questions: Is it reasonable to expect that an FFM's AHI would be so much larger than the AHI that I get with the Aloha?
Is it even possible to get an AHI under 4.0 with a full-face mask?
I like the ResMed mask, but it seems like I just can't get the full value of therapy when I use it.
If you have any advice for me, let me know!
Steve
Each type of mask has a different flow allowance depending on its design. My question is; When you change masks, do you change the mask type declaration in the machine?

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